Steering Slop

[x2thez]

Last night, I installed my Ski shims, and aligned the skis correctly, which surprisingly were way out of spec. I noticed some slop in the front steering. I have about 4000 miles on it, is this normal, and if so what parts can I replace that are the common wear items. Also, I noticed there was some slop in the suspension, i know that Ulmer makes a bushing kit for them, and I am just wondering how difficult it is to install?

 

[Wilson]

I am not sure what kind of sled you have .I assume it is RS series .If so the bushings at the inboard side of the control arms wear out quickly . I have replaced all of mine twice in 11000Km 05 RS Venture . They are easy to change .I don't think you can get them any where but Yamaha.

 

[x2thez]

Now you say that they are easy to remove, but I looked in there last night and it appears as though you would remove the battery tray, but it looks as though on mine it is welded to the frame? Is that not the case or? Its an 06 RS vector GT

 

[Wilson]

Mine is a RS Venture ,but I think they are the same .Now it is over a year since I did this but I think if you take out the air cleaner and remove the battery there are bolts under the battery to get the battery box out .Or there are braces to the side frame with bolts holding it in place .Once you get the battery out you should be able to see how it is put together . You can check them with out taking any thing apart Just jack up the front so the skis are off the floor .Grab the out side steering pivot and try to move it up and down forward and aft .When mine is worn out it moves a lot like you know right away this can't be right .This all seems really easy to me as I was an auto mechanic for 42 years . If you need any more help just ask . I also removed my hood as it makes it a lot easier to work and you dont have it falling on your head all the time . I can't go out to my sled and look because I was riding today and left it out in the country for the next ride .I am sure some one else will jump it here soon .

 

[towing]

Pioneer have 2 kits for these bushings

http://www.pioneerperformance.net/

Look in the front suspension index and you will find what you need.

These bushing wear fast because they are not lube, when you replace these them, apply waterproof grease and they will last very long time. Adding zerk on bulkhead side of the a-arm help a lot also. It is not a so bad job to do but if you lube them, you propably never have do it again...

Alain

 

[x2thez]

Mine is a RS Venture ,but I think they are the same .Now it is over a year since I did this but I think if you take out the air cleaner and remove the battery there are bolts under the battery to get the battery box out .Or there are braces to the side frame with bolts holding it in place .Once you get the battery out you should be able to see how it is put together . You can check them with out taking any thing apart Just jack up the front so the skis are off the floor .Grab the out side steering pivot and try to move it up and down forward and aft .When mine is worn out it moves a lot like you know right away this can't be right .This all seems really easy to me as I was an auto mechanic for 42 years . If you need any more help just ask . I also removed my hood as it makes it a lot easier to work and you dont have it falling on your head all the time . I can't go out to my sled and look because I was riding today and left it out in the country for the next ride .I am sure some one else will jump it here soon .

Do you remember how many bolts it was to remove the battery tray? I see 4, two fo them hold teh tray directly the other two look like they might but they also hold some sort of sensor in the front end as well.

 

[Wilson]

I think what you are looking at is the control moduel .That has to come out as well . I think four bolts gets the battery tray out ,it sits on a bracket that goes to the frame on either side . Did you check to see if the bushings are loose ? They probably are but ?

 

[x2thez]

I think what you are looking at is the control moduel .That has to come out as well . I think four bolts gets the battery tray out ,it sits on a bracket that goes to the frame on either side . Did you check to see if the bushings are loose ? They probably are but ?

Last night I saw what you were talking about, that the battery tray is part of a cross member. I removed that. I then started on the bushings, I orderd the replacements from Ulmer. They make sucha big difference, I finished the one side last night and its much tighter than the other.