Steering play

[mrb]

Hi All
I have a little bit of "play" in the handlebars (2008 GS but very low miles) . Not sure if it has always been there or whether I just noticed it :sour:. Does anyone else have this?

It is not wear in the ball joints etc as it does not get that far - if that makes sense.
When I had my DPS unit changed over in the recall the dealer did not tighten the shaft connection properly and over a few weeks it developed a lot of slack in the steering. So much so it became really noticeable when riding. They fixed that and I thought this may be the same issue but its not - I checked and the shaft to DPS connection seems tight.

 

[docdoru]

Did the service check the swaybar bushings?

 

[mrb]

Did the service check the swaybar bushings?

I doubt it but I am unsure as to how would that show up as play in the handlebars- with no movement in the steering rods etc?

 

[retread]

A guess on my part; the DPS has an input shaft and an output shaft, if they didn't get the input shaft tight, maybe they did the same with the output?

john

 

[mrb]

A guess on my part; the DPS has an input shaft and an output shaft, if they didn't get the input shaft tight, maybe they did the same with the output?

john

Appreciate the thought but (and I guess I should have mentioned this earlier) I can get my hand in and feel no real movement of the shaft down at the DPS when the bars wobble. I actually thought it may be right at the top where the handlebars are clamped but after a very frustrating hour or so (people who have removed the cover from the steering clamp area will know) I found nothing untoward. Perhaps I am stressing too much over a little free play?

 

[docdoru]

Do you have the 1" riser?

 

[Bob Denman]

It sounds as if you're looking for the right things. :thumbup:
Play in the front end
Play at the DPS
Play at the handlebars themselves

Please let us know what the final answer is, and Good Luck! :2thumbs:

 

[mrb]

Do you have the 1" riser?

Yes and 3" Custom Dynamics risers as well. Its going to the dealer for a service next week and they fixed the sloppy steering last time after they replaced the DPS so hopefully they can do it again. Had the chance to check a friends Spyder yesterday - no play at all.

 

[Just Doo Me]

Any chance it could be the spline in the 1" riser worn or loose?

 

[mrb]

Any chance it could be the spline in the 1" riser worn or loose?

Not worn but lose- very good chance. Will know when the dealer checks it in a few days.

 

[NancysToy]

Not worn but lose- very good chance. Will know when the dealer checks it in a few days.

A properly fit splined fitting cannot be loose (around its axis) if it is not worn.

 

[mrb]

OK it went in for a service, they removed the trunk and tightened the steering rod where it attaches to the DPS (cost me around $100 on top of the service). It is all tight again but this is the second time that it has done this since they replaced the DPS unit- never had a problem before that. If it comes loose again I will have to try another dealer.

 

[NancysToy]

OK it went in for a service, they removed the trunk and tightened the steering rod where it attaches to the DPS (cost me around $100 on top of the service). It is all tight again but this is the second time that it has done this since they replaced the DPS unit- never had a problem before that. If it comes loose again I will have to try another dealer.

Or try some loctite. nojoke

 

[ivanlee]

OK it went in for a service, they removed the trunk and tightened the steering rod where it attaches to the DPS (cost me around $100 on top of the service). It is all tight again but this is the second time that it has done this since they replaced the DPS unit- never had a problem before that. If it comes loose again I will have to try another dealer.

i would look for another dealer, there is a cotter pin that retains the nut Pn# 250400034, the hole in the arm is most likley egg shapped from being loose and should be replaced PN# 250200086 and was never tighten to spec's after the dps was change. :dontknow:

 

[mrb]

i would look for another dealer, there is a cotter pin that retains the nut Pn# 250400034, the hole in the arm is most likley egg shapped from being loose and should be replaced PN# 250200086 and was never tighten to spec's after the dps was change. :dontknow:

Sorry steering rod is probably confusing. I mean steering shaft where it goes into the DPS at the top. It has a torque setting and loctite according to the workshop manual.

 

[NancysToy]

Sorry steering rod is probably confusing. I mean steering shaft where it goes into the DPS at the top. It has a torque setting and loctite according to the workshop manual.

If they failed to use loctite, or failed to properly clean and prime the fastener (and fitting threads) before reuse, there is a high liklihood of eventual failure. Same goes if they didn't properly torque it.

 

[mrb]

If they failed to use loctite, or failed to properly clean and prime the fastener (and fitting threads) before reuse, there is a high liklihood of eventual failure. Same goes if they didn't properly torque it.

I asked why that would it would have come loose again and they said perhaps someone has been forcing the bars from side to side while it is standing still and its made it go loose. No- I am the only rider, its in a secure park and I have not done that.

They commented they got "a full turn" on the bolt tightening it up. Now I should have asked does that mean its just been tightened up or was it removed, new loctite used and retorqued down. Sounds like the former to me. I guess time will, tell but if it comes loose again I don't think I will take it back there.

 

[mcaccamise]

Sounds like if your Dealer did the proper tightning sequence after the DPS was changed you would not have had to pay for them to do what should have been done properly the first time and i would have stressed that point to them.
The second repair should have been on them for their neglect imo.
Mike