I just bought my 400EX a month ago and its starting to squeak pretty bad when I turn the steering. It looks and sounds like it is coming from the rubber bushing that holds the steering column in place (its about 8" down from the handle bars). I've tried oiling it with no luck. Any ideas? Thanks!

Eric

 

It is still under warrenty... Take it back to your Honda dealer...

 

It's a common sqeek....blast some wd40 on the shaft while turning the bars back and forth till it goes away. Chances are the problem will come back in a few months....repeat. (gets on your nerves, don't it!)

 

I had the same problem with my 450es and all I used was Armor-All. Works great, but needs to be repeated every so often.

Jeff

 

To really fix the problem, remove the front fenders and remove the clamp that holds the steering stem. Then remove the black bushing, clean and grease it with a good quality grease(like wheel bearing grease)then reassemble. That will fix the problem and last a long time.

 

Thanks for your help. I ended up doing what fancher recommended. That bushing was BONE DRY. Very quiet now.

Eric

 

I used a spray can of white lithium grease. Works great. I had the same noise problem and the bars were hard to turn. That area needs to be cleaned and greased often because that grease collects dirt and sand..