Sloppy steering? Bend over and take it!!! - Kawasaki KFX450 Forum

DMS · 10-01-2007, 05:19 PM

Our good friends at Stealyourmoneyasaki decided to use a ball joint as opposed to a bushing for the lower steering stem pivot. 84 bucks for this item from the dealer. Kill me.... I ordered a new one under protest.

double d · 10-02-2007, 12:31 PM

QUOTE (DMS @ Oct 1 2007, 01:20 PM)

Quote:

Our good friends at Stealyourmoneyasaki decided to use a ball joint as opposed to a bushing for the lower steering stem pivot. 84 bucks for this item from the dealer. Kill me.... I ordered a new one under protest.

I feel your pain. But I can tell you why they had to do it. Due to the amount of flex that this chassis has, they needed to use a balljoint type [which pivots in all directions] to keep it from binding. It would be very possible for the stem to bind if they just had a bushing. Its the price we have to pay for new technology I suppose.

DMS · 10-02-2007, 03:40 PM

That makes sense. Is it painful to swap out? Any special tools needed?

topdollr · 10-02-2007, 06:15 PM

QUOTE (DMS @ Oct 2 2007, 03:41 PM)

Quote:

That makes sense. Is it painful to swap out? Any special tools needed?

sounds like your are going to answer your own questions soon. let us know how it goes

DMS · 10-06-2007, 11:41 PM

Here it is. $84 bucks for tight steering. Appears like a simple swap.

madracing · 10-08-2007, 11:50 PM

QUOTE (DMS @ Oct 6 2007, 11:42 PM)

Quote:

Here it is. $84 bucks for tight steering. Appears like a simple swap.

Hmm that may be part of the problem I'm having... what lead you to replacing this?

AJ

DMS · 10-09-2007, 05:58 AM

AJ, I can physically see the lower part of my stem wobble when I move the bars. I have developed quite a bit of play there. I do alot of mx jumping and dune riding.

madracing · 10-09-2007, 07:07 AM

QUOTE (DMS @ Oct 9 2007, 05:59 AM)

Quote:

AJ, I can physically see the lower part of my stem wobble when I move the bars. I have developed quite a bit of play there. I do alot of mx jumping and dune riding.

Yea I think mine is loose as well, no big air for me... but plenty of small violent stuff mixed in with a few rolls and flips. What bike is that off of? did it bolt right on? "double d" did make a good point about the frame flex.

AJ

FUELATV · 10-09-2007, 12:45 PM

That is the stock part. It bolts the the frame. I had to replace that after 2 rides. The new one seems to be holding up fine. I noticed my bars having play up and down. After removing it the ball was loose in the socket. The install was not bad. Lets hope the new one holds up longer.

madracing · 10-09-2007, 06:39 PM

QUOTE (FUELATV @ Oct 9 2007, 12:46 PM)

Quote:

That is the stock part. It bolts the the frame. I had to replace that after 2 rides. The new one seems to be holding up fine. I noticed my bars having play up and down. After removing it the ball was loose in the socket. The install was not bad. Lets hope the new one holds up longer.

FUELATV,

I'm confused it is stock off of what bike... a Kawasaki?

AJ

10-01-2007, 05:19 PM	#1 (permalink)
DMS Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 78	Our good friends at Stealyourmoneyasaki decided to use a ball joint as opposed to a bushing for the lower steering stem pivot. 84 bucks for this item from the dealer. Kill me.... I ordered a new one under protest. __________________ <span style="font-family:Impact">OhioMafiaRiders.com</span></span> <span style="color:#FF9900">'08 KFX450R - Power Commander 3, Full SR4 Carbon Motoworks pipe, Rath Racing nerfs, Modquad intake, Pro-Tec Moflow lid, Skat Trak Haulers

10-02-2007, 03:40 PM	#3 (permalink)
DMS Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 78	That makes sense. Is it painful to swap out? Any special tools needed? __________________ <span style="font-family:Impact">OhioMafiaRiders.com</span></span> <span style="color:#FF9900">'08 KFX450R - Power Commander 3, Full SR4 Carbon Motoworks pipe, Rath Racing nerfs, Modquad intake, Pro-Tec Moflow lid, Skat Trak Haulers

10-06-2007, 11:41 PM	#5 (permalink)
DMS Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 78	Here it is. $84 bucks for tight steering. Appears like a simple swap. __________________ <span style="font-family:Impact">OhioMafiaRiders.com</span></span> <span style="color:#FF9900">'08 KFX450R - Power Commander 3, Full SR4 Carbon Motoworks pipe, Rath Racing nerfs, Modquad intake, Pro-Tec Moflow lid, Skat Trak Haulers

10-09-2007, 05:58 AM	#7 (permalink)
DMS Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 78	AJ, I can physically see the lower part of my stem wobble when I move the bars. I have developed quite a bit of play there. I do alot of mx jumping and dune riding. __________________ <span style="font-family:Impact">OhioMafiaRiders.com</span></span> <span style="color:#FF9900">'08 KFX450R - Power Commander 3, Full SR4 Carbon Motoworks pipe, Rath Racing nerfs, Modquad intake, Pro-Tec Moflow lid, Skat Trak Haulers

10-09-2007, 12:45 PM	#9 (permalink)
FUELATV Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: SANTEE Posts: 293	That is the stock part. It bolts the the frame. I had to replace that after 2 rides. The new one seems to be holding up fine. I noticed my bars having play up and down. After removing it the ball was loose in the socket. The install was not bad. Lets hope the new one holds up longer. __________________ We ride, test and use all the products we sell. No drop shipments, No broken promises, No BS, Just Top quality proven parts at a great price. PM me for the best prices, best service and best delivery. Everyone else talks the talk we walk the walk. FUELATV is always testing to make better products and more HP for you ........ its just the way we do it. FUELATV Air box and Air Box eliminator Intakes for the KFX450 are instock and ready to ship Dasa pipes - ALWAYS in Stock at UNBEATABLE PRICES Precision Stablizers - ALWAYS in stock and DISCOUNTED i-shock suspension - All kits instock, onsale and ready to ship FUELATV Bumpers, Cooler Racks, Anti-Vibe stems, DASA Exhaust Systems, i-shock supension, Yoshimura, Power Commanders, Custom Graphics kits, Gripper seat covers, Flexx bars, Precision Stablizers, and More.

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