Loud annoying sound

[Honda4LifeWes36]

It seems like every time I either turn or barely nudge the handlebars there is a horrible sound that sounds like something is rubbing together. So I WD-40ed the hell outta the steering bar where they connect to the deals that go out to the front tires. Didn't solve anything.

So what could be the problem thats rubbing together from the bars down. I cant figure it out!

[hocman123]

i would try to take the upper stearing steam mount off and greese it mine used to make a wierd noise untill i did that

[NacsMXer]

Originally posted by hocman123
i would try to take the upper stearing steam mount off and greese it mine used to make a wierd noise untill i did that

What he said. Remove the upper steering stem clamp (2 bolts) and clean/regrease the greenish rubber bushing in there. No more squeak ;)

[exrpnt]

also spray some w-d 40 underneath the steering stem where that rubber thing isin there behind the headlight from the bottom up

[Honda4LifeWes36]

So just take the handlebars off and I should be able to see it down there and get her greased up?

[Honda4LifeWes36]

And ya it sounds like rubber that is rubbing together...

[hocman123]

no no need to take the handles off at all all u need to do is take the hood off which is easy on some 05 and newer models and remove the upper mount u will see it is a large round black peace allmost at the top

and yes it is rubber

[Honda4LifeWes36]

well I have an 03 and its not really hard to take the whole front clip off but it is definitely time consuming.

Is there anyway I would be able to get to it by taking the bars off or would I still not be able to see it?

[hocman123]

no do not take the bars off at all for an reasin to do this it will searve no purpose but whasteing ur time

[Honda4LifeWes36]

dang lol dont really wanna take the front plastics off again because I just took em off to put brand new ones on.

O well, I guess I should have done it before I put the new ones on.

But thanks guys!!

[hocman123]

no problem just make sure when u do it u left up the steam a little and get greese on the back side 2

[NacsMXer]

We were all new to this at some point so i'll give ya a break lol. I used to be scared to take the rear plastics off. But taking off the front plastics is no big deal, and takes all of 2 minutes to remove.

Here's some pictures of what you need to remove to get at the squeaky stem bushing

http://img408.imageshack.us/img408/3221/upperstemclamp1.jpg (http://img408.imageshack.us/i/upperstemclamp1.jpg/)

http://img21.imageshack.us/img21/2582/upperstemclamp2.jpg (http://img21.imageshack.us/i/upperstemclamp2.jpg/)

[Honda4LifeWes36]

Well I ended up getting it greased without taking them off and it is not squeaking now but since I didn't do it correctly it probably wont be long before it starts squeeking again!

[NacsMXer]

Yep, did you spray some WD40 or something in there? I used to do that when I first got my 400, but it's only temporary. Putting a nice coat of grease in there is what takes care of it for a good long while.

[CJM]

Ive been contemplating for a god yea now of drilling out a hole and putting a grease zerk in there...

Really ought to do it, but after having greased it once it hasnt squeaked since.

[NacsMXer]

CJM there was actually a guy on here that did just that in his rebuild thread. There was a pic of it but can't remember which thread it was. He put the zerk right in the center of the "bulge" part and drilled a hole in the rubber bushing to match. Seems like a good idea to me if you ride in wet conditions a lot :macho

Myself, I just put a thick coating of Mobil 1 synthetic grease in there and it's pretty much maintenance free. It was only a problem for me when the machine was stock since Honda is all chincy where grease needs to be on these machines.

[CJM]

Nacs, I used heavy duty wheel bearing grease, the kind you use ohn boat trailers that is semi waterproof. Its still in there and I dont ride in to wet of stuff.

Kinda why I didnt bother doing the zerk.