Freeplay Removal

"Dear Ralph" December 27, 1996 0
Dear Ralph: What is the best way to take the play out of my ’93 EXT steering ? My sled has 3000 miles on...

Dear Ralph:

What is the best way to take the play out of my ’93 EXT steering ? My sled has 3000 miles on it and the play has been increasing every year. I was able to get at the pivot bushing on the right side. This appears to be the primary pivot that is the brunt of the majority of the force created by the handlebars. Observing the bolt on which the bushing pivots on seems to be a bit small for the bushing. I plan on replacing this entire bushing. Should I replace all of the pivot bushings to do the job right, or will this pivot on the right side take care of most of the play I’m finding? I would appreciate your input.

Lewis Brazil
Sioux Falls, SD

Lewis:

Normally the “freeplay” in the handlebars is caused by the combination of loose bushings, hyme joints, and wide tolerances all the way from the handlebar pivot under the engine to the tie rod ends and down to where the skis bolt to the spindles. Yes, sometimes a single bushing will be the culprit, especially the ones in the bellcrank (sometimes called steering frog). You should check each hyme joint, bushing, and pivot point individually and replace components as needed. Higher quality rod ends and bushings are available from specialy suppliers (sold in most any aftermarket catalog in this magazine) that manufacture the pieces from better materials to tighter tolerances.

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