SHOCK THERAPY BUMP-STEER DELETE TIE-ROD PINS

SHOCK THERAPY BUMP-STEER DELETE TIE-ROD PINS

WHAT IT IS:

Shock Therapy (ST) is not just a premier UTV shock-tuning company that’s run by longtime desert racers; it has multiple patents on shock components, cross-over rings (including silent and multi-piece), adjustable torsion bars and linkages, adjustable bar clamps for OEM sway bars, travel limiters and bump-steer delete tie-rod kits for Maverick X3s (now $199.99, reported on in the April 2018 issue on ST’s X3 Turbo R). X3 tie-rod mounts are double shear, so ST’s BSD X3 tie-rod kits are CNC-machined with three pieces to adjust rod-end heights within the double-shear mounts.

Shock Therapy now introduces its bump-steer delete tie-rod pins for single-shear tie-rods for Polaris, Honda, Kawasaki and Yamaha sport and recreation/utility UTVs. For those new to UTVs, bump steer is the amount of change in front toe during travel from full droop (airborne) to fully bottomed. ST bought an RZR Turbo S, and bump steer measured out to a whopping 3.5 inches on that machine. Bump steer is one of the first things ST checks when testing a new machine, and every UTV is different despite build quality. So, ST developed the BST Tie-Rod Pin kit to enhance handling on any UTV with a 5/8-inch tie-rod end. The beauty of the BSD Tie-Rod Pins is that they work on almost all UTVs with single-shear tie-rod mounts, whether OEM or aftermarket.

SHOCK THERAPY BUMP-STEER DELETE TIE-ROD PINS
ST developed its BSD tie-rod pin kit to work on any UTV with single-shear tie-rod mounts and any tie-rod with 5/8-inch rod ends. Since bump steer varies from car to car despite manufacturer build quality, ST has worked out starting points with the 12 spacers in each kit, and tuning can get bump steer down to zero.

 

FEATURES

ST’s BSD Tie-Rod Pins have 11 parts each, and kits include a drill bit to drill your spindles out to 3/4 of an inch to accept the BSD pins. A long, 12-point, Grade 8 bolt with washer and Nylock nut anchors the pin, and CNC-machined aluminum sleeves capture the 5/8-inch rod-end Heim. Each BSD pin also has six spacers—two .050s, two .100s, a .200 and a .250—for a total adjustment range of .750 inches. Kits also come with a BSD Pin Kit Chart with starting points for individual UTV models: XP1Ks, Fox Editions, Turbo S Dynamix/Walkers, RS1s, Teryx KRX, and Pro XP Dynamix/Walkers. Because Honda Talons have larger pins than 3/4-inch, ST is developing a different part number for Talon BSD tie-rod pins. ST is also working on starting points for Generals, Rangers, Pioneers, Mules and more.

SHOCK THERAPY BUMP-STEER DELETE TIE-ROD PINS
On the Teryx KRX1000, ST recommends a starting point of .300 using included spacers, and raising the outer rod ends takes bump steer down from more than 2 inches to approaching zero. More tuning can end in better results.

 

INSTALLATION

Remove the front tires and outer tie-rod ends to access the spindles, and drill out the holes to 3/4 of an inch using the supplied drill bit. Slide the bolt and upper aluminum collar into the tie-rod end. Capture the Heim with the lower sleeve, and then slide on the starting-point recommended spacers. ST was installing the BSD Pins on a KRX1000 when we were there, and the recommended spacers totaled .300 (.050 and .250). Capture the spacers with the washer and lock nut, then torque to 110 pound-feet. ST sets front toe at zero at machine ride height, then measures toe at full droop and full compression, and then adds or subtracts spacers to get as close to zero as possible.

SHOCK THERAPY BUMP-STEER DELETE TIE-ROD PINS
ST made these toe plates to aid measurements, but they’re not for sale. With the shocks removed, jack the front end to ride height (14.5 inches) and adjust the tie-rods to zero toe (equal front and rear tire-to-tire measurements). Jack the front to full-suspension droop and measure, then drop the front end to full compression and remeasure. Total toe change is your bump-steer number. Now use the BSD pin kit chart to find your desired spacer thickness. Install spacers on each pin and repeat measurements.

 

WHO’S IT FOR?

Anyone who has wrestled a UTV to keep it straight over undulating terrain will appreciate the beauty of ST’s bump-steer delete tie-rod pins. The aforementioned RZR Turbo S went from 3.5 inches of bump steer down to 1/16-inch with this BSD kit.

PERFORMANCE:

Steering-wheel feedback and twitchiness at speed on rough terrain are both signs of excessive bump steer, and bump steer also leads to premature wear of front-end moving parts and pumped-up driver forearms. ST’s BSD tie-rod pins greatly reduce or eliminate bump steer so that driving over rough terrain can be done one-handed and even two-fingered. The Turbo S gobbled up trophy-truck whoops at the Cinders OHV Area’s dry-lake whoop field, and every UTV will benefit from enhanced handling throughout travel.

THE VERDICT:

Bump steer is exacerbated with larger-than-stock tires, which put more leverage and stress on front-end parts during suspension travel. ST’s X3 BSD tie-rod kits reduce bump steer from 4 inches on 72-inch X3 models down to 3/8 of an inch, and the BSD tie-rod pins allow more adjustment on single-shear UTVs for even less bump steer. With 3/4 of an inch of possible adjustments, this kit will get rid of the dreaded bump steer completely on many UTVs. Before dropping up to $3000 on shock mods, install Shock Therapy’s BSD tie-rod pin kit on your UTV. It will be the best $120 you have ever spent. Some aftermarket suspensions may require more tuning/spacers, but this BSD tie-rod pin kit will work with any tie-rods with 5/8-inch rod ends (Pro Rs have different rod ends, so ST will develop a BSD kit for those soon).

CONTACT:

www.shocktherapyst.com,

(623) 217-4959

RATING:

★★★★★

PRICE:

$119.95

See Shock Therapy’s Ultimate tie-rod kit here: SHOCK THERAPY ULTIMATE TIE-ROD KIT – UTV Action Magazine

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