Although UTVs and ATVs are normally associated with recreational activities, they’re also among the most trusted work vehicles in Australia. Farmers, ranchers, and even outback mining companies rely on quads for basic transportation; that’s because their nimble, sure-footed construction makes them the perfect choice to go where other vehicles simply aren’t capable of going.

The fact that so many professionals depend on quads on the job means that parts defects and breakages aren’t an option. When an irrigation system malfunctions, cattle go missing, or a remote section on an ore conveyor goes down, they can’t afford to let the terrain or their transportation be an inhibitor: they have to be able to get to the problem as quickly as possible. That’s why agricultural specialists and other outback contractors who regularly use quads on the job insist on them being outfitted with the most durable parts available.

Trust a Top Quality Parts Dealer to Have Everything Your Quad Needs

Let’s face it: ask any quad owner and they’ll tell you that a bike’s only as good as its weakest parts. Owners who use their bikes for work can’t afford to lose sleep over which parts are weakest, though; that’s why no matter if it’s online or in person, they only buy from well-stocked, premium quad parts store dealers that sell top quality equipment for the full range of popular Polaris, Can-Am, Kawasaki, and Honda bikes sold in Australia.

Regardless of the type of riding you do, tough Australian outback trails and off road terrain can make short order of even the toughest quad bikes, with drivetrain and steering components leading the way with premature failure. Anything from a ruptured CV boot to a bent tie rod can end in an equipment failure that can leave you stranded at the worst possible time. Fortunately though, when it comes to heavy duty UTV and ATV parts, Australia has some of the best stocked shops in the world for OE-quality fit parts, boasting OEM-quality durability.

Look For a Dealer Who Knows the Risks to Quad Bike CV Joints

Ask any experienced rider what the Achilles heel of every UTV and ATV is, and they’ll probably tell you it’s their CV joints. And with most modern quads built with independent suspension on all four wheels, that means there are as many as eight possible points where these drive shafts can experience failure. The fact is, while a CV shaft can experience problems even on moderately rough terrain, especially if a lift kit or oversized tyres have been added, the most common cause of CV joint failure stems from damaged CV boots.

A torn or ruptured CV boot gives sand, sediment, and water instant access to the CV joint. Even more critically, however, it permits the joint’s protective grease to escape, leading to a host of telltale signs of imminent CV failure, including:

• Visible grease leakage. While a boot rupture might be difficult to see, the presence of grease on the back side of a tyre or coating steering components could indicate a ripped boot.
• Clicking noises. Clicking noises, especially when turning, are a solid signal that a CV has gone slack from a lack of lubrication and that detrimental metal-on-metal contact is taking place.
• Clunking. If you’re experiencing a pronounced clunking feeling when moving away from a standstill, under snappy acceleration, or when turning, it’s very likely that your CV’s bearings are bad.
• Humming noises. Although a humming noise coming from a wheel could be the sign of an unlubricated wheel bearing, it can also indicate an ungreased CV joint.
• Increasing vibration. Either under acceleration or when turning, an increase in wheel vibration could also be the indicator of a CV joint that has no lubrication.

Make no mistake: not only can an impending CV joint failure leave you high and dry at the worst possible moment, but it can also take a costly toll on a quad’s differential. That’s why CVs need to be inspected regularly for any of the above signs of distress; and when a problem’s identified, you want to reach out to your preferred UTV / ATV parts shop as soon as possible for heavy duty replacement boots and CV shafts.

Feel Free to Safely Source Your Tie Rod Ends Online 

Unlike standard off roaders vehicles, there no way to ignore when a quad is experiencing steering problems; and given their high centre of gravity, unpredictable steering is more than just problematic – it’s dangerous, especially if you’re focused on responding quickly to a work-related event. And more often than not, the culprit behind your bike’s uncertain steering is going to be tie rod ends.

Although tie rod ends are prone to wearing out like any component, the process is dramatically accelerated by hard riding and rough trails, leading to an array of symptoms that include:

• Visual damage. If the seal covering a tie rod end is torn or missing, it’s guaranteed that sediment and water have already entered the socket body and begun to cause corrosion.
• Loose steering. Excess play in your bike’s handlebars, even if the bike’s not moving, is an indication that, along with a wheel alignment, your tie rod ends are potentially shot.
• Tracking problems. Together with loose steering, severe steering vibration and difficulty keeping your bike tracking in a straight line are easy confirmations of tie rod end damage.
• Steering knocks. Knocks and squeaks when riding over uneven terrain, or when turning the wheel, especially into tight turns, are sure indicators of tie rod end failure.
• Uneven tyre wear. If you’re observing uneven, or excessive tyre wear from the inside to the outside, this is another good indicator that your tie rod ends have failed.

It goes without saying that if a tie rod end were to fail spontaneously, a complete loss of steering control could be catastrophic. That’s why, along with your bike’s CV joints, the tie rod ends should also be inspected periodically; and if there’s any indication that they’re due for replacement, you need to reach out to an online ATV parts store that you trust to acquire a new, heavy-duty set of tie rod end replacements.

The Final Word

At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter if you ride a bike for work or play, the prospect of having a critical part break isn’t something to look forward to. And if your riding is job-related, parts breakage is more than just an inconvenience. In an emergency, it could mean not being able to reach a remote location when you need to; that’s why regular inspections, and having a reliable parts supplier are so vital. 

You can count on a well stocked quad parts store to have everything you need to keep your, or your company’s UTV or ATV fully serviceable. Safety is your first job, and it starts with your bike.