Hard steering - Any Idea's?

[gottago]

I have a 03 RX-1 that the steering is very stiff. It just started as it was ok last year. I didn't hit anything, it's the most stiff when turning from far left to the right. I can't find any grease zerts on any of the bushings. The sled has about 2800 miles on it.

I have another RX 1 and this one is normal to turn.

Please help with any ideas!

Thanks in advance

 

[Red2003]

You'll need to take apart the steering rods that go from the handlebars down to a pivot above the engine, then across to the side of the machine, then down the side near the oil tank, then down underneith the battery. The bushings that hold each steering shaft dry out and make it difficult to steer. This process totally sucks and is a pain in the a$$, but once it starts it only gets worse if you neglect it. Take a lazy Sunday afternoon, and just rip it all apart. It takes several hours, but needs to be done.

 

[gottago]

Now that sucks but thanks for the reply. I was hoping there was a lube type fix for this.

 

[Maddog]

On my Grizzly 660, we use a silicone spray on the steering bushings for a couple of reasons. It reduces the squeak factor, and it also lubricates and keeps the bushings soft. You may want to try that first.

 

[Snowaddict]

hard steering

I just took my '05 in for this same issue. They just lubed all of the pivot points and took care of it. It cost me $0. I figured they'd charge me, but was impressed that they didn't.

 

[Red2003]

There's not a way to lube the bushings without pulling the steering rods apart. You don't need to fully remove them, just separate the bushing covers. This will make sense when you get there. Its a pain in the a$$ because all the bolts are in horrible places to get to and ARE NOT screwed into the chassis so there's nuts on the back side and you can hardly see them, let alone get a wrench on them.

 

[madforR1s]

What Red2003 said. You can loosen the bearings in front of the gas tank and use a needle attachment on your grease gun to shoot a bit of grease in there. The spot that was the tightest on my 03 was in behind the brake calipers. There is a metal retaining plate that holds a white plastic bushing there that gets dry. pull the retaining plate off and you can pull that white bushing out and clean it and the shaft. Lube it up and you will notice much smoother steering. A little farther down the same shaft is another bearing similar to the ones in front of the gas tank. Again, just loosen the bolts and sqeek a bit of grease in there. follow up with a dab of grease on all of the universal joints and everything will be smooth as silk.

 

[Maddog]

Silicone spray is a penetrating lube. It will get in there.

 

[Red2003]

Maddog, have you actually fixed this problem this way or are you just guessing? Those of us that have know, trust us. Geez.

 

[Maddog]

On my Grizzly 660, we use a silicone spray on the steering bushings for a couple of reasons. It reduces the squeak factor, and it also lubricates and keeps the bushings soft. You may want to try that first.

Same setup, and YES, I have fixed this problem this way. Its last for most of the winter. You may have to do it a couple of time, but its still alot easier. Besides, what does he have to loose by giving it a shot? Just remember, there are several different solutions to every problem not just one!

 

[Yama-Crazy]

there are alot of moving parts bushings and rod ends that he should be able to see and squirt some penatrating oil....some do look to be in difficult places and may require some digging but its worth trying before making it into a HUGE job...is all Madog is saying. I do every year on every sled I've owned have always kept all these hard to get at and see steering knuckles and bushings lubed, sometimes it makes a mess under the hood and in places that are hard to clean up tho.

 

[DaveyBoy]

Has anyone else had this problem on there 03 i had it this weekend what a difference from the friends viper and apex i was steering a dumpo truck full of gravel and towo flat front tires Help

 

[Red2003]

Trust me on this one guys, you gotta pull it all apart to get it all lubed. The bushings inside get full of corrosion and just squirting it on the outside wont cut it. Bite the bullet and pull the bushings all apart as I have suggested above and do it right, once.

 

[4Fighter]

I have a 03 RX-1 that the steering is very stiff. It just started as it was ok last year. I didn't hit anything, it's the most stiff when turning from far left to the right. I can't find any grease zerts on any of the bushings. The sled has about 2800 miles on it.

I have another RX 1 and this one is normal to turn.

Please help with any ideas!

Thanks in advance

I had a bent spindle housing on mine.

 

[DaveyBoy]

Brian where on ur sled the lower spindle on a-arms ?


I have taken the 2 apart and did as u said the long shaft running aside the frame Are the ones down the steering post needed as well