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Steering issue 96 Sportman

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Old 10-26-2015, 07:14 PM
m2cyclone's Avatar
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Default Steering issue 96 Sportman

Having some issues with the steering.
I've searched but it seems like most are having issues with 4wd lock ups.
Mine is something in the tie rods or ??
I can go forward/reverse fine, but sometimes one of the tires will kick out of alignment. One tire straight and the other turning left/right. Move the bike a little and it will straighten back up and align itself back up and go fine for a while. It usually happens while turning slow in the yard.
Almost like a tie rod end lets go for a bit.
Its not a loose tire, I actually caught it tonight and you can see that the struts where not lined up, one straight and one turned.
I did a quick look and didn't see anything wrong.
Moved the steering and bike and it line back up and worked fine again.

I have pretty much rebuilt the entire front end on this machine. All new bushing, wheel/strut bearing, seals, ball joints etc.. also tie rod ends.
I verified tierods and axles, etc.. all looks good.

Only thing I didn't replace was the lower steering shaft bushing.
Anyone think there is enough play or broken condition with the bushing to cause this.
Or a bad ball joint or? its almost like there is nothing holding the strut on the bike except the tie rod.
I'll double check the a-arm, etc.. to see if it is broken.
 
  #2  
Old 10-26-2015, 09:34 PM
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Look at the steering block when someone turns the bars. Most problems like this are when the rivets holding the block loosen over time and the block can move from side to side screwing up alignment. Also the inner part of the block itself can wear and do the same thing on alignment.http://www.cyclepartswarehouse.com/f...1996&fveh=5420
 
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