tight steering

[250r rider 88]

anyone ever have this issue? had it last year when i put the R together, and used the old tie rod ends, so this year i replaced the tie rod ends and its still got tight steering

maybe its just me but i know when i go and sit on a new quad the steering is nice and smooth


any ideas?

[Dtrap]

Could be your bearings or mabey you over torked some bolts making it tight.

[EXtreme-]

grease the stem clamp

[250r rider 88]

Originally posted by EXtreme-
grease the stem clamp

the top clamp? or the bottom where it goes into the frame?

[05LSR250R]

Could have a slight bow in the stem!

[EXtreme-]

top. if you loosen the 4 bolts and the steering improves, there's your problem

[250r rider 88]

tried that, no luck, still tight

[05LSR250R]

Make sure the stem is straight! Even a slight bow can make it hard to turn!

Do you run a stabilizer? If so it could be bent!

Have you replaced the stock steering stem bushing with a Hinson unit? Could make it alittle stiff till broke in!

[250r rider 88]

stem is brand new burgard stem, never wrecked

im using a OEM bushing in the top clamp

stabilizer not mounted

[05LSR250R]

Is there powdercoating on that stem where it clamps?

[250r rider 88]

stem is chrome

the clamp is powdercoated

[05LSR250R]

OK...........is there any powdercoating on the inside of that clamp? If there is it'll make it stick!
Especially when compounded by that chrome plating!
Is there chrome on the stem where it clamps?

[250r rider 88]

yes there is PC on the inside of the clamp and yes there is chrome where it mounts, so should i grind both off?

[250r rider 88]

but....it never felt tight until i tightened the tie rod ends and the spindles up, so i tried loosening them up a little and still tight

[05LSR250R]

Definitely the inside of the clamp!
Try that and see how it feels afterward...before going to the chrome!

[250r rider 88]

ok i will give that a try

[05LSR250R]

Keep in mind that new tie rod ends will feel a little stiff.
But not too bad.
Definitely grind the p.c. from the inside of the clamp.
I'm not going to tell you to grind the chrome..........you'll have to make the call on that!
Eliminate all possibilities before hittin that chrome!

[BERT306]

my new balljoints seem pretty stiff, u could try taking off your tie rods and working the spindles back and forth to see if thats whats making it stiff?

[bluetrx]

BERT306 my new balljoints seem pretty stiff, u could try taking off your tie rods and working the spindles back and forth to see if thats whats making it stiff?

this is the path to take, isolate smaller areas and check for resistence. also since you removed the stem clamp cap completely to see the powder coating on the inside did you try the steering without the clamp at all?

dont touch that chrome! if the clamp is the problem and its still to tight after the pc is removed i would open up the bushing with a brake hone. try powdered graphite to lube the bushing. whatever it takes to keep the chrome.

[Aceman]

Tight steering is pretty straightforward as far as troubleshooting goes. All you have to do pull the linkages apart, turn the stem with nothing attached and see how it feels, then hook one tie rod up, turn it and see how it feels, hook up the other, etc. You WILL figure it out.

When I put new balljoints on my Houser arms it was pretty snug at first too.

[250r rider 88]

im pretty sure its the ball joints, my a arms are SMC fabrication, and ive rode on them a good 10+ hours, you would think they would be broke in

reason i think that is when i undo the tie rods from the stem, it turns great

when i turn the spindles they seem to drag a little bit, any way around this?

[250R-Dee]

Did you install the tie rods on the stem and knuckle correctly? If you install the tie rods opposite of the original position you will end up with tight steering.

[250r rider 88]

^^^^^

so your saying if i put the outside ends on the stem instead of the knuckle it would cause tight steering?


which side does the left handed threads go on? stem or knuckle?

[Honda 250r 001]

your bearing is out. i have heard they are a B I tch to get out. take the bottom nut off and see if it turns easier or if there is rust in the bearing. Also when you go back to gether put never seize on that top bushing.

[250R-Dee]

Check the orientation of the tie rod connection to the stem and knuckle.

If you are supposed to have a specific setup (down/down, up/up, up/down) but deviated from the norm there is a really good chance that you will encounter binding which will make the steering MUCH heavier.

down - tie rod end mounts from the top
up - tie rod end mounts from the bottom

Yes, I have seen people invert the orientation by mistake on several occasions.

[05LSR250R]

Are you running 400X or 450R spindles on the quad?

[250r rider 88]

running 86 250R spindles