Tie Rod Shaking Why?

[tbohman56]

While on a trip to TN & NC I noticed the right tie rod was shaking while on a sweeping left hand turn with speeds over 50 mph. Movement maybe 1/4" or less in both directions. Looked at the right tie rod and it is not shaking. Does it sound like an alignment issue or possibly low tire pressure? The tie rod assembly is basically three separate rods connecting the left and right wheels. Is there that much play four different connections to allow the right to move while the left is still?

[Bottomline2000]

i don't have a ryker but you should not see any movement in your tie rods. if they are moving back and forth you have a loose linkage somewhere. I would check both end links and make sure you haven't lost the nut on either end of the link or make sure both are tight. this is a big safety issue if this comes apart you lose control..if the tie rod is moving your wheel is also.

[tbohman56]

i don't have a ryker but you should not see any movement in your tie rods. if they are moving back and forth you have a loose linkage somewhere. I would check both end links and make sure you haven't lost the nut on either end of the link or make sure both are tight. this is a big safety issue if this comes apart you lose control..if the tie rod is moving your wheel is also.

There are actually six connections from the left wheel to the right wheel in the three rods in the assembly. All connections are tight. It is only the right wheel were I see movement, and it is only at speeds above 50mph, and only when making a right hand sweeping turn. I can see the post where the tie rod connects to the right wheel moving, but the post on the left wheel is not moving. I do not see this movement on either wheel when making a right hand sweeping turn.

[Possible]

Don't hesitate, either check it out yourself, or if you don't feel confident in your abilities, have it checked out by knowledgeable folk. Steering
issues are not to be let go until they get worse, that can result in a visit to the ditch...or worse. Hie thee to a shop.

[Mikey]

I would jack up the front of the bike and start to play with the wheel back and forth and see if I could get it to do it by hand, if it's moving like that I would think a person could find where it's coming from pretty easy! Good luck!!

[RykerRick]

I'd also check your wheel nuts to make sure none are cracked, especially the right one.

[chris56]

I would "balance" the wheels on both sides ..

[EdMat]

If all the joints are good and tight you most likely have a tire issue.

[BajaRon]

I am impressed that you're able to look so closely at a tie rod while negotiating a 50+ mph turn!

Is your right side fender 'Still' while all of this is going on?

[tbohman56]

I am impressed that you're able to look so closely at a tie rod while negotiating a 50+ mph turn!

Is your right side fender 'Still' while all of this is going on?

Actually, pretty easy to glance down at the wheel and see the silver post where the tie rod connects.

Wheel nut recall was done right after I bought the Ryker, and they are okay. Just had tires balanced before I went on the trip. The tie rod is moving because the whole right tire is slightly shaking, so no, the right fender is not still. What I find odd is that there is slight movement on the right side, but the left wheel is not moving. I would have thought that with the way the linkage is connected from left wheel to right wheel, if one side was shaking, both sides would be shaking. It also, only seems to happen on a sweeping left had turn, and not a right hand turn.

[BajaRon]

Actually, pretty easy to glance down at the wheel and see the silver post where the tie rod connects.

Wheel nut recall was done right after I bought the Ryker, and they are okay. Just had tires balanced before I went on the trip. The tie rod is moving because the whole right tire is slightly shaking, so no, the right fender is not still. What I find odd is that there is slight movement on the right side, but the left wheel is not moving. I would have thought that with the way the linkage is connected from left wheel to right wheel, if one side was shaking, both sides would be shaking. It also, only seems to happen on a sweeping left had turn, and not a right hand turn.

You have a balance or out of round issue with your tire/wheel assembly. This is consistent with the fact that the steering assemblies are all tight. The tie rod is not moving in a way that would affect the other side.

[canamjhb]

I highly suspect a bad tire. Try switching left to right and see if the problem follows the tire..... Jim

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

You have a balance or out of round issue with your tire/wheel assembly. This is consistent with the fact that the steering assemblies are all tight. The tie rod is not moving in a way that would affect the other side.

.... Kenda tires have the worst " defective tire rate " of any tire tire I have ever heard of ...... Mike

[SportsterDoc]

If out of balance, should be able to see the tire bounce (which causes cupping)
As already suggested, out of round tire. Jack it up and check with dial indicator.
If no dial indicator, mount a marker in a drill press vise (or =), advance it to tire center while rotating tire.