OFT Steering Block Tightness? Bronze Bushing Break-In?

[Snowmobileaddict]

I just installed 2 of these blocks on the vertical portion of my steering post in front of the gas tank.

Is there an expected break-in time period for these bushings? If I tighten the steering block nuts into place with what I feel is just past "snug" there seems to be an significant amount of force required in order to move the handle bars.

Anyone else have this experience? I don't think that I have the blocks tightened down too much. Will the bronze bushings wear-in a bit and allow less effort to turn the bars?

Thanks.

 

[big guy]

I just put them in as well. No issues here at all. If anything they are still on the loose side. I used 400 grit? emery cloth to polish the shaft before I installed mine. Did you clean the shaft before you installed yours? That's the only thing I can think of.
Good Luck.

 

[Snowmobileaddict]

I didn't do much more than wipe the post off a bit. I may try some fine grit paper and see if that helps.

Any other findings or experiences, post 'em here!

thanks

 

[kinger]

I didn't sand, or wipe just installed them. My plastic ones were bone dry. I thought it steered easier after my install.

 

[Snowmobileaddict]

Well,

I just took them both apart and cleaned everything, used some 400 grit on the post and its still seems too tight for my taste.

I give up.

I guess I'll just wait and see next season if they get broken in a bit and lossen up some after I rack some miles up.

 

[sgilbert]

I ran remote grease lines to those and replaced with new plastic, steers like a wet dream

 

[Grimm]

I recently installed oilite bushings for the front end of my Nytro and found them to be quite tight too. I called Ulmer Racing and they said that they will break in after a few miles.

I'm sure the same may apply to your situation as well.

Maybe lift the front of the sled off the ground and crank the bars back and forth for a while to break them in now, or wait until next season.

 

[Snowmobileaddict]

I do have my sled on the lift for servicing, and I have been working the bars back and fourth. I'll do that on and off when I get some shop time.

2 weeks ago I did the Ulmer bushing kit install. I thought the fitment on that kit was just right. Nice and smooth but not too tight.

I'm confident that steering will free up a bit with normal use. I only bought 2 steering blocks to start with. It appears as though the previous owner kept the 3rd steering block behind my oil tank well greased. It's fitment is nice and without excess slop. The other two blocks on the post were dry and very worn, and there was no sign of them being lubed on a regular basis.

 

[Snow Fever]

I put a set in my brand new Apex MTX this past fall and they were way looser than the stock plastic, I had to have them machined to fit right. My buddy bought a set for his Nytro MTX at the same time as me and his were so tight you could barely steer the thing. We ended up shimming his with some brass shim stock. Love the idea of the oilite bushings. Not sure why they don't fit right when you buy them. Either the shaft diameter on these sleds veries alot from sled to sled, or these bushings do? Not real happy with having to modify a part that is supposed to be an improvement.

 

[Snowmobileaddict]

I know what you mean!

 

[sgilbert]

right, thats why I made my own relocate kit for my xtx out of lawnmower parts, cost? free, fit? mint, also platic doesn't transmit vibs