Front axle facing up – driveshaft in wrong angle

[Omsk]

After two TRX-4’s it was time for something different, time for a Gatekeeper kit.
The build is done, but I’m not sure about the setup.

The front pumpkin is slightly facing up, making the driveshaft facing down.
I checked the length of the links and made some slight corrections, but it has no effect on the angle of the axle/pumpkin.


What could be wrong with my setup ?
According to the manual, the upper link should be 122mm, rod ends included.
Should I adjust the length of the link to correct the angle ?

[HumboldtEF]

Any pics?

Are we talking angled up slightly or like a ton?

Angling them up a bit isn't a problem and I think all of my Enduro have a bit of this. I've even added a bit more angle on some.

Since its not a high pinion like and Axial rig its kind of nice for a bit of extra clearance.

EDIT: I missread that, having the driveshaft angled down is not ideal. Personally I would simply adjust the length of the links, shorten the lowers and lengthen the uppers. You can do this by using shorter or longer rod ends or cutting down the stock ones (and typically grinding down the threaded ends to allow the shorter rods to fit).

[Omsk]

Originally Posted by HumboldtEF

Any pics?

Are we talking angled up slightly or like a ton?

Angling them up a bit isn't a problem and I think all of my Enduro have a bit of this. I've even added a bit more angle on some.

Since its not a high pinion like and Axial rig its kind of nice for a bit of extra clearance.

EDIT: I missread that, having the driveshaft angled down is not ideal. Personally I would simply adjust the length of the links, shorten the lowers and lengthen the uppers. You can do this by using shorter or longer rod ends or cutting down the stock ones (and typically grinding down the threaded ends to allow the shorter rods to fit).

Thanks HumboldtEF!
I tried taking pictures, but couldn't get the right perspective to clearly show the problem.
I’ll try adjusting the links tomorrow.

[Panther6834]

Try sightly shortening the lower links and/or lengthening the upper links, until the driveshaft entering the pumpkin (fully compressed AND fully extended) is say the desired angle.


~ More peace, love, laughter, & kindness would make the world a MUCH better place

[islandlife]

Might be a stupid question, but do you have the lower links in the top and vice-versa?

[tigris99]

You have the links in wrong. Either mixed up the front and the rear, top and bottom or mounted to the wrong holes in the frame/skid.

Sent from my SM-S906U using Tapatalk

[HumboldtEF]

Originally Posted by tigris99

You have the links in wrong. Either mixed up the front and the rear, top and bottom or mounted to the wrong holes in the frame/skid.

Sent from my SM-S906U using Tapatalk

Yeah you could have mixed the links up but you cannot mount the links in the wrong holes and have the driveshaft pointing down, it would point up.

[Omsk]

Originally Posted by islandlife

Might be a stupid question, but do you have the lower links in the top and vice-versa?

Not a stupid question, I double checked and they are in the right place.

[Omsk]

Originally Posted by tigris99

You have the links in wrong. Either mixed up the front and the rear, top and bottom or mounted to the wrong holes in the frame/skid.

I guess so, it’s the only explanation .
I’ll check it once again.


The front lower links should be fine – they’re the high clearance that came with the kit. The manual only shows instructions for the straight links.
I guess that the length of the links should be the same, regardless of straight or high clearance ?

[Omsk]

The front axle has two mounting points for the upper links.

According to the manual, the upper link should be connected to the frame on the drive-side.
In connected the upper link to the axle on the mounting side on the passenger-side.

Did I mix this one up ?

[Omsk]

Originally Posted by Omsk

Did I mix this one up ?

I probably did.


Oh man, that manual is so unclear.

[Panther6834]

Originally Posted by Omsk

The front axle has two mounting points for the upper links.



According to the manual, the upper link should be connected to the frame on the drive-side.

In connected the upper link to the axle on the mounting side on the passenger-side.



Did I mix this one up ?

From what you said, that sounds like you're describing a panhard link, not a front-upper link. If have to look at the manual, as, in building my GK, I installed the IFS Kit.


~ More peace, love, laughter, & kindness would make the world a MUCH better place

[Omsk]

So I changed the connection of the front upper link on the axle, from the passenger-side to the driver-side. As it would be if it was a 4-link setup (and I guess as it should have been).
The angle of the pumpkin/axle is now as it should be.

Fooled by the manual .
Sigh ...

[B-MOW71]

Glad to hear you have it figured out. The manual isn't really clear and if I remember right, it shows straight links instead of the high clearance links that come with the Gatekeeper Kit.

Here is a pic of how mine is for a comparison.

[Omsk]

Thanks,

That's a nice setup !