P500 At wits end.

[Nascar60]

I have a 2017 500, the aliment will not stay in line, one ride and the right side needs adjusted again, any help would be appreciated, Second, when riding we can smell antifreeze burning, we have checked for leaking and can not find out what is causing it.

 

[Admin]

 

[ShotgunClay]

Can't help with the alignment, but I've smelled coolant for too, checked the system an there were no leaks. It went away and haven't smelled it for over a year. Just be sure to keep the tank at the proper levels.

 

[DG Rider]

I have a 2017 500, the aliment will not stay in line, one ride and the right side needs adjusted again, any help would be appreciated, Second, when riding we can smell antifreeze burning, we have checked for leaking and can not find out what is causing it.

What do you mean by "alignment", and how are you checking it? It stays pretty well unless you're bouncing off boulders or something is loose. Check the a arm tabs and make sure they are OK.

As for the antifreeze, check all the clamps. Mine had one under the seat at the metal pipe that was a real pain to get to stop leaking, though I believe that pipe has been eliminated from newer models. Also, in rough terrain, mine will actually slosh it out of the overflow bottle if I keep it anywhere near the full mark.

 

[Nascar60]

Maybe I don't mean alignment, it wears on one side of the tire on the right side, as my husband puts it eats on the one side being the right side. We don't rough on rough terrain, mostly gravel and blacktop

 

[DG Rider]

Maybe I don't mean alignment, it wears on one side of the tire on the right side, as my husband puts it eats on the one side being the right side. We don't rough on rough terrain, mostly gravel and blacktop

Generally speaking, toe in/out (the only "official" adjustment on the 500) will wear both tires if it's out. However, camber (the angle of the tire vertically, viewed from straight on) can exacerbate this effect, if it's out.
If it always wears one side of the tire despite adjustments, suspect the camber is out, but if adjusting the toe changed which side is wearing, then you are simply going too far, or something is loose. Check the front end out.

 

[Alan aka Davinci]

Try this, see attachment.

 

[Nascar60]

Thanks for your reply's, we will check these and see what happens.

 

[HondaTech]

I've heard that people have found Pioneers with a stripped steering joint clamp bolt that allows the steering to turn without turning the rack.

So when the steering wheel appears straight the wheels will appear to be out of alignment. Adjusting the alignment will make it ok until driving it makes the steering wheel appear off center again.

 

[Nascar60]

The steering wheel is off, I will have it checked thanks

 

[Nascar60]

It is only the right side that is always off. Left side seems to be ok

 

[trigger]

I catch a whiff of antifreeze every winter when I'm plowing and that's the only time. Have checked for leaks several times and can't find any but don't go through any measurable amount of coolant either. I've learned to ignore it now.
If you're riding a lot of pavement you are going to get excessive wear on most off road tires, assuming that's what you're running? Most P5's come from the factory toed out slightly but it should hold that alignment unless something's wrong. I'd be checking the tie rods and steering shafts.
Let us know how it turns out.

 

[JCart]

What others have said regarding alignment. Antifreeze yes I periodically get a faint smell, I replaced all the band clamps with heavier ones and still smell once in a while. Learned to ignore as mine never shows over flow down at all. As I recall was mostly in cooler weather too... never thought might be the vent, till now. 😂😁 excellent suggestion, just monitor over flow level and see if it drops.
j

 

[Duckhunt]

When I'm working it hard in snow the fan cycles on and off regularly, and I always get a whiff when the fan kicks on. I've checked it every week after weekend riding so far and no change, right up to the neck in radiator. Reservoir stays at same level too.

Check the upper control arm mounts on right side and see if they appear to be bent or "sticking out" more then left side.

 

[70Bones]

The service manual says it not unusual to have small amounts of antifreeze come out the water pump bleed hose...

 

[Chuckie3]

Smell antifreeze when I plow also no leaks.

 

[Nascar60]

Now that my husband has further explained to me about the front end, here it goes, passenger side front tire on inside of tire wears out. when riding he smells rubber. It has been aligned several time and still wears on the inside of the tire. This is the front passenger tire that does this.

 

[pFive]

Look hard at the point where the A-Arm brackets are welded to the frame. Some of these have cracked and/or tore out at the weld. There is a repair bracket on the aftermarket that resolves the issue if this is the case.

 

[JCart]

As a suggestion perhaps post up a few images? Like one driving towards you, then ones with front wheel full left, then right and a side view.
j

 

[25yrds]

As a suggestion perhaps post up a few images? Like one driving towards you, then ones with front wheel full left, then right and a side view.
j

Agreed. Have been an automotive/truck alignment specialist for 30+ years. Sounds like you may have a camber (tire leaning in or out at top) issue. Not adjustable on the p5. Make sure control arm bushings are not worn or control arm bent. Put a level up and down on both sides. They should be the same. Also, make sure both tie rods are perfectly straight. A bend in one will cause tires to be aligned when going in a straight line but when turning one will turn a bit farther than the other.

 

[Mudder]

Alignment work for 30 years... Many memories of going with dad, back at a skilled dedicated alignment shop, with swivel wheel pads, (Bear equipment??). Now so many places do it with computers.
As far a steering wheel being off, no sweat, just take it off and center it when all said and done. Had to after my power steering installation. Of course my alignment was non technical - string method back to front.