A-Arm Guards

[b4hntn]

Here in the Piney Woods of East Texas there is a lot of forestry debris. I have worried about the boots on the p4. Here is a link showing the Universal Parts vs. Honda versions. My perception is Honda will allow fewer sticks but harder to rinse the mud out. I bought Universal at half the price.
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_trksid= ... &_from=R40
The plastic removal took about 20 minutes. Got them to room temperature, then used a hair dryer to start peeling a corner then the rest of the plastic peeled easily. I primed with a white primer because it was what I had then painted black. Honda did a great job minimizing shining for us deer hunters so I did not leave the shields a pretty shiny aluminum. The p4 is iced in with our son now so installation is pending.

 

[Admin]

 

[Nevadawalt]

I also order them off of ebay. Do you have any concerns drilling holes in the front A-arms?

 

[b4hntn]

So far, since they are only 1/4"...no concerns but have not done it yet.

 

[ohanacreek]

I would consider a ubolt instead or drilling holes in the A-Arms.

 

[Hondasxs]

I would consider a ubolt instead or drilling holes in the A-Arms.

Agree.

 

[b4hntn]

The drilling goes in the arm front to back brace. The guards have square holes for the stainless carriage head bolts. I have not installed them yet so can't remember if front or rear. The others have metal strips that clamp not drill.

 

[rellison110]

I installed these today. The rear went just fine, but the front were hitting the oem plastic guards By the hydraulic line. I trimmed the plastic and it kept hitting it, so I decided to remove the plastic guards and see f that was okay. The bent part of the arm guards still hits the hydraulic line bolt, even after I tried bending the aluminum plate more. It appears that the aluminum guards on the front interfere with the steering by not allowing the wheel to turn inward 100%. I will post pics when I get to the computer. The iPad won't let me.

 

[b4hntn]

I contacted the mfg. and their response "They run really close to the caliper. If they happen to rub it’s that big of deal, they will not gouge into the caliper. You can tweak them once they are on by pulling them away from the caliper, just don’t overtweak them so they get into the rim. " Probably intended it's NOT that big of a deal.

 

[Nevadawalt]

Why couldn't you file off 1/4 inch from the part hitting the hydraulic line bolt. Would that interfere with anything and give you enough clearance?

 

[graybear]

I have had my Pioneer at UTV tech for a while so they could use it to make custom fit skid plates, A arm guards etc for the Pioneer. I know they are real close to having the parts into production. They have done the soft mockup using aluminum and will soon have the completed products in high carbon steel. I have used their stuff before and it is top quality.

 

[nagromr1]

Cant wait to see what UTV tech comes up with.Hope they make them to cover and protect everything and that they make them easy to install like the honda ones.

 

[b4hntn]

I finally installed the A-Arm guards today. It took about 4 hours. You will need the following: Drill, sockets 10 and 7/16 with several extensions. 7/16 combination wrench. Bungee cords to hold them in place while drilling and bolting. Light. 2 ea 4" blocks and 2 ea 8" blocks to drive up on. Big crescent or stillson wrench to tweak. Tape to hold carriage head bolts while you put nuts on.
For safety, put in 4 Lock and drove front end up on blocks. Set brake and kill it in D. Then when doing the rear same thing but kill it in R.

There are no instructions so refer to eBay pictures. Slots aim rearward and slide guards as far as you can toward center. I left the stock plastic guards off but reinstalled the bolts.

Other than being a tired geezer it went well.

 

[Shane]

I was worried bout my boots also loose piece barb wire will rip it. Looks like these r best both worlds. I think I'm goin with univ.

 

[Shane]

I also order them off of ebay. Do you have any concerns drilling holes in the front A-arms?

Yes I do . Could weaken a arm . Do u like the way they installed.

 

[b4hntn]

I'm not concerned for the universal ones. the front ones require drilling two holes on the cross brace that run front to back and one in a gusset. The rear ones have one hole in a gusset then a clamping bar. Total of 8 holes.

 

[bdech15]

I'm waiting on my a arm guards to come in from strong made. I will post pics when I get them installed

 

[Nevadawalt]

I also order them off of ebay. Do you have any concerns drilling holes in the front A-arms?

Yes I do . Could weaken a arm . Do u like the way they installed.

Sorry for taking so long to answer. Been hunting.

The guards mounted ok. And it looks like they should be secure enough the way they are mounted. Did run into a minor problem. When you turned the wheel completely in one direction or the other the arm would contact the plastic caliper guard and you would lose your brakes. Tried cutting the plastic guard with no success. On another forum a guy devised a test to see if it really was the arm guard causing the problem and it looks like that was it. He suggested removing the plastic guard which I think is ok. Without the plastic guard there doesn't seem to be any brake problems.