Steering Alignment - Stem??

[bash3r]

What is it when both front tires "seem" to be off the same amount from the handlebars? Is this a steering stem bent or both tierods need adjusting?

If my bars are straight, both wheels are pointing a bit to the right, and I'm not sure how to tell if the stem has twisted?

Thanks for the help!

[Scro]

The easiest way to tell if you stem is bent would be to take it off and see if the tierod mounts are where they should be relative to the bars. You may be able to do this with it on the quad.

More than likely if it wasn't that way to begin with, the stem is probably twisted. There is no way for the front end to come out of alignment if all the jam nuts were tight.

[bash3r]

thanks, Scro I'm going to see if I can tell if the stem is twisted from the tierod mounts tonight. Hopefully I can tell without removing it, but then again if its bent, its coming off anyways!

[1fst400]

what kind of quad is it?


I know that yamaha raptor stems are made of jello.

[bash3r]

its an '01 300EX

[esr250r86]

yeah, I think your tie-rods need adjusting, you should be able to tell if your steering stem is bent but just adjust your tie-rods and it should fix the problem.

[bash3r]

yeah its so hard to tell, the stem doesn't look bent down or up, its just the bars are straight and both tires are off to the right a bit. I was thinking of trying to adjust the tierods but wanted some advice before I try covering up a bent stem, you know...

i mean if your bars are not lined up with your front tires, then it seems it'd have to be tierod adjustment, bent stem, or a-arms. so far stem and a-arms appear to be fine.. :huh

[hondapower8]

Originally posted by 1fst400


I know that yamaha raptor stems are made of jello.


lol :p

[400exrider707]

You honestly think you twisted a stem? A tie rod would bend wayyy before you actually put a twist on a tube.

[gncc025]

u can adjust the tie rods and fix your problem even if its your stem as long as the stem isn't bent very badly.

[sideways]

i bent my stem about 2 years ago, and it took a roll down like a 75 ft hill climb to do it. also bent the subframe, a-arms, tie rods, rims, axle, name it. even so, the stem wasnt so bad i couldnt use it, all i did was adjust the tierods to make up for the bend. still riding on it today. i should post the video of that crash....

[chris46250r]

Originally posted by 400exrider707
You honestly think you twisted a stem? A tie rod would bend wayyy before you actually put a twist on a tube.

If its turned all the way against the stops and some type of pressure is put on the bars ( roll over, tree ... ) it can twist it.