ATV tech tips, to help you know when to turn an ATV repair project, over to a professional.
Here are three situations, where it’s best to turn an ATV repair, over to an experienced, fair and professional mechanic.
Consequently, it could cost more money to have it fixed. But, you’ll get the satisfaction knowing the job was done right, the first time.
So, you’re thinking about saving a buck or two, by following some, ATV tech tips. Just not quite sure, which repairs to try and how to go about it? First, never bight off, more than you can chew!
ATV Tech Tips- 1. First, do you have the right tools?
I’m a firm believer in the old adage, “You’ve got to have the right tool for the job,”. If you don’t have the right tool, you’ll probably end up fighting your way through, a frustrating ATV repair. Say you need to adjust the valves in a four-stroke engine’s cylinder head. But, you don’t have a torque wrench or a set of feeler blades.
You might think you can, re-tighten the hardware “close enough” to the manufacturer’s torque specification. But, in a case like this, where tolerances are so close and the window is so narrow. It’s not worth the risk, of leaving a fastener too loose or too tight.
So, an improperly fastened piece of hardware, could lead to a failure. And, will cost more money to go back and fix it the right way. Especially for high-performance, fast-revving engines, used in sport quads. So, you may find yourself using a screwdriver, to pound out a broken A-arm mounting bolt. Because, you don’t have a set of punches and chisels. Then, bring the quad to a professional, who has the right tools to do the repair.
ATV Tech Tips- 2. You are at a loss and just, don’t know what to do next.
Let’s say your ATV won’t start. You checked the compression and it’s good. The engine appears to be getting fuel. Now you check for spark. When you push the starter button, the spark plug has spark, but it seems weak. Now what? While this engine has, the three essential elements for it to run, this one won’t run.
Ignition trouble, can come from many sources, switches, coils, and wires. And, it often takes special diagnostic equipment, service information and experience to diagnose the trouble. ATV repair technicians, use step-by-step ATV service manuals. This helps track down electrical problems, so they can make efficient, cost-effective repairs. Often, people will, work off of a hunch and throw costly electrical parts at it. All with hopes, that one of them will fix the problem. So, if you’re not sure where to turn next, bring your ATV to a professional.
ATV Tech Tips- 3. Your ATV needs, MAJOR repairs
Sometimes a ATV repair job is so big and becomes too involved. So, that’s when it’s best to turn it over to a professional, right from the get-go. A prime example is a major crash repair, which will likely be covered by insurance. If, for example, you smashed into a stump or rock. Then, it peeled off a front wheel, its driveline components, suspension, the footrest. And, not to mention, the CVT clutch has a fresh gouge. Would you know where to look and what to look for. So, you can put together a parts list and restore the machine to, like-new condition? While it seems easy, to simply start tearing off old parts and installing new ones, looks can be deceiving.
ATV repair shops, that are experienced with ATVs know what to look for, when compiling a damage estimate. They know where to look on a damaged ATV, to find which parts need to be replaced. And, in this case, since the CVT clutch showed signs of contact from an external source. They will also check the crankshaft run-out, to make sure it still spins true. That’s something you certainly wouldn’t want to overlook and it takes special, precise equipment to inspect.
Here are some of the best ATV tech tips, that just make sense to have:
- Make sure you have a good ATV repair manual, it will save you money? If you have had your ATV in the shop lately, you know how much repairs cost today. There are a lot of service and repair jobs, you could do yourself. Furthermore, with, a good ATV service manual and some basic tools.
- Do a good job of maintaining your ATV, so you can avoid unnecessary repairs. The best way to save money is not to have to do the repairs at all! Save money by, doing most of the common maintenance yourself.
- Keep the ATV as clean as possible. Don’t let mud dry on it. But, be careful with power washers. Because, they can do more harm than good, if you go to far with one. It’s easy to force mud into, wheel bearings, steering stems, suspension pivots, etc. if you’re not careful.
- Remove parts yourself and take them to the shop, instead of the whole ATV. Need an ATV tire repair? Don’t pay the shop to take the wheel off, do it yourself.
- Don’t put repairs off until later. It only gets worse. Do it now, before something else breaks.
Conclusion
Read about, ATV tech tips, and don’t attempt jobs, beyond your capability. That varies a lot for all of us. But, basically don’t try to do things like, adjust the valves, if you really don’t know what you’re doing. A lot of expensive damage, may be the end result!
Finally, use good quality parts. There’s nothing worse than spending, time and money on an ATV repair. And then, having a failure, caused by a poor quality part.
And, that’s why, if an ATV repair seems overwhelming, it probably is. And, the job should be turned over to a professional mechanic.
Thank You !
