Steering arm is hitting upper brace? please help!

[Eric4440]

Going through the 14 XTX I just bought, decided to tackle the sloppy steering issue, tightened the nut and it helped but only a LITTLE, when the bars are turnedd all the way to one side it has about 2-3 inches of slop... I noticed that the pitman arm where all the linkages connect to is actually sliding up and out of the bushing till it hits the aluminum bracket above it and has ground into it from turning the bars riding. I CANNOT for the life of me see any issues causing this to happen, is this just the design or is there a retainer or something that is supposed to keep that pitman arm all the way down and prevent it from sliding out of the bushing?? here is a photo of the pitman arm and bracket and you can see where its been grinding into it.. I also made a video of the pitman arm sliding in and out of the bushing if someone needs to see what Im talking about. I feel like theres something I'm missing...

Hopefully someone can steer me in the right direction I was hoping to go riding this week

https://drive.google.com/open?id=181voPzAvh5Po0SFKPFzIN3_vkG7fDXyC (Photo is upside down)

 

[Eric4440]

actually I should have done this first and looked at at a parts diagram, but it looks as though theres supposed to be a bolt going through there that mine is for some reason missing, looks like the washers are special ones I will have to order them. correct me if im wrong...

 

[murdered141]

actually I should have done this first and looked at at a parts diagram, but it looks as though theres supposed to be a bolt going through there that mine is for some reason missing, looks like the washers are special ones I will have to order them. correct me if im wrong...

Yes there should be a bolt with 2 washers top and bottom each and a nyloc nut

 

[Allan]

Yes there is a bolt with nut and 2 washers one on top and one on bottom. There is also 2 bushings that this linkage fits into
https://www.yamahapartshouse.com/oemparts/a/yam/56264d6e87a86602c84a3d97/steering.
The washers bolt and nut should still be there , I don't think is can fall out even if it let go.

 

[murdered141]

Yes there is a bolt with nut and 2 washers one on top and one on bottom. There is also 2 bushings that this linkage fits into
https://www.yamahapartshouse.com/oemparts/a/yam/56264d6e87a86602c84a3d97/steering.
The washers bolt and nut should still be there , I don't think is can fall out even if it let go.

This all depends how the bolt was put in from the factory or if someone reversed it for some reason prior to his ownership, if the little black plastic plate was missing, it could have all fallen out if the bolt was put in from the bottom.

 

[Eric4440]

Black plastic plate was in place, the only thing I think is that the previous owner pulled that plate off to remove the sway bar or for whatever reason and the bolt fell out and he wasn't paying attention and didn't know where it came from.

I'm assuming the washers are special with a protrusion that goes in the shaft that keeps them centered? The knot and bowl I could easily get at the hardware store but probably not the washers

Should have waited to look up the parts diagram, you guys were really quick I really appreciate it

 

[Allan]

This all depends how the bolt was put in from the factory or if someone reversed it for some reason prior to his ownership, if the little black plastic plate was missing, it could have all fallen out if the bolt was put in from the bottom.

bolt going in from the bottom but should not fall out on less the plastic is remover .

 

[Allan]

Black plastic plate was in place, the only thing I think is that the previous owner pulled that plate off to remove the sway bar or for whatever reason and the bolt fell out and he wasn't paying attention and didn't know where it came from.

I'm assuming the washers are special with a protrusion that goes in the shaft that keeps them centered? The knot and bowl I could easily get at the hardware store but probably not the washers

Should have waited to look up the parts diagram, you guys were really quick I really appreciate it

Yes you r right about the washers.

 

[cannondale27]

Always meant to have a spacer of proper length made so a guy could actually tighten that little bolt there.

 

[Allan]

Always meant to have a spacer of proper length made so a guy could actually tighten that little bolt there.

Mine loosen up ones so I put lock tight on it and never had a problem after.

 

[cannondale27]

Mine loosen up ones so I put lock tight on it and never had a problem after.

Same here just be careful not to crush those washers by overtightening

 

[Eric4440]

Washers are ordered I should have them tomorrow. Definitely going to put some good Loctite on it, maybe even green, then I’ll know it’ll never come loose