Today, I attempted to replace what I thought was a worn out inner tie rod end to eliminate the slop in my steering on the left side. I retained the tie rod ends from my old 2003 p650 just for this repair.

Unfortunately, I discovered that the inner tie rod end was not the only problem. It turns out that the tie rod end had wallowed out the hole where it attaches to the bottom of the Steering Stem...so now I have to replace the entire steering stem too(unfortunately, the bottom part is connected to the rest of the steering stem). Of course, my local steeler doesn't open until Tuesday morning, so there's yet another week of delay in getting my quad back together!!!

Just thought I'd post this for anyone out there has some slop in their p650/p700 steering...you might want to check your tie rod ends as well as your steering stem holes.

PS - The really frustrating part is that I sold the steering stem from my old p650 (the quad that I'm now parting out)...now I wish I had kept it!

Happy trails...[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

Just weld the hole shut, and drill it back out to size.

 

Thanx for the suggestion. That's not a bad idea, and I've heard of other folks doing that as a cheap alternative to buying a new stem. However, I personally don't know how to weld, and I don't know any welding shops around me well enuf to trust their work on something as important as a steering component on my quad. So I'll just bite the bullet and pay the $108 or so for a new stem. Because I like to do XC racing with my quad (occasionally reaching 50 or 60 mph during the race), I don't want to risk getting a bad welding job on the steering stem. I suspect that the lift kit and oversized mud tires that was on this quad when i bought it may have led to this premature wearing of the steering stem (this 2002 p650 only has 427 original miles). I have since removed these items and am hoping this problem does not occur again anytime soon.

Happy trails...[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

DOH!! you have luck like mine!

 

How's that new house coming along? You moved in yet?

 

i close on the sale of mine later today! then we'll make a call to the builder and they should be breaking ground soon thereafter. They already have the lot and loan just need the goahead!!!

 

Well that is good news indeed! I bet you are high on stress right now! hehe Hang in there, I'm sure it will be worth it in the end.

happy trails...[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]