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ktMan
07-02-2008, 08:07 PM
after a hard day of riding in the rain and mud i noticed late in the ride that the steering was getting very stiff. i looked over all the front components like the a arms and tie rods and everything looks to be fine. the tires are straight and the tow in tow out is all good. the only thing that i could think of after all that was the bushings around the steering stem. the bike has been sittin for 3 days now and the problem still occurs. ????
XCRacer236
07-03-2008, 12:42 PM
its all the mud...
ktMan
07-03-2008, 06:51 PM
i cleaned the bike up that day when i got home and the problem was still there. i sprayed some stuff on the bushings around the stem, helped a little bit.
XCRacer236
07-03-2008, 08:01 PM
oh alright. well if its stock steering stem, sorry man but im clueless. haha. but if its not, it could be that. cause my buddy had an aftermarket steering stem, and his was real hard to turn. that was on a Honda, but i guess it MIGHT be able to happen on the KTM's. i dont know.
w4g
09-13-2008, 09:16 AM
Your slide bearing may be cracked. Item # 83001035050. Mine cracked in a cross country race and it made it very hard to turn left. It even made a loud screech when I turned very hard.
mcracer
09-13-2008, 07:11 PM
The bearing prolly caked w/ dirt especially if you spray any lube around o-rings it makes the dirt work into o-rings instead of lubing. Take it apart and clean be carefull not to bust plastic bushing and break o rings. I put a grease zert in mine to push out dirt and keep lubed worked great. Before doing so it felt like I was running w/ a GPR damper turned on 12. Hope this helps
09-14-2008, 04:41 PM
its not the stem guys sorry...its the ball joints...check them and let me know. been through this 3 times before.:rolleyes:
mcracer
09-15-2008, 07:26 AM
Mine was stem! but I have replace ball joints twice also so I guess you should check eveything.
Johnny & Monica
09-29-2008, 10:11 PM
Mine turns tigth as well , Just bougth the 450 yesterday , Maybe a good greasing an cleaning of all components is what the doc. ordered . Its just harder to work on ripping thru the woods lol Maybe I can catch it sitting still :devil:
mikesbikes09
10-13-2008, 06:55 PM
ball joints!! Have seen it on almost every KTM. Usually lowers!!