Steering SCREWD UP, Please help.

[Danny T]

Ok so i was riding today and a tree "jumped out of no where" and cought my left front tire, turning me sideways launching me like superman.

After this if i point my handbars perfectly straight, the wheels are turning to the LEFT.

Also there is about 1/2 inch play in my hand bars.

Thanks for the input.

[Colorado700R]

hmmm, could be a few things.  The stock tie rods suck, so check there first. 

[Bert]

Maybe a popped ball joint 

[preddy08]

Maybe a popped ball joint 

You'd know if you popped a ball joint!! lol The front tires would be leaning out at a 45 degree angle.

See if you tierods are bent, if not, just re aling it. If you have a half inch play in the steering stem I bet your tie rods are SHOT! Also check the steering stem mount at the bottom. You may have bent the splines.

[darkside94]

yea i ripped the whole ball joint off of a john deere gator once when my friends brother hit me in his ford f-150 gon bout 25 tryin to slow down 

[Bert]

Maybe a popped ball joint 

You'd know if you popped a ball joint!! lol The front tires would be leaning out at a 45 degree angle.

See if you tierods are bent, if not, just re aling it. If you have a half inch play in the steering stem I bet your tie rods are SHOT! Also check the steering stem mount at the bottom. You may have bent the splines.

Oops... meant to say tie rod end.
Last winter a buddy popped a tie rod end so it had play but wasn't broken apart

[Danny T]

Maybe a popped ball joint 

You'd know if you popped a ball joint!! lol The front tires would be leaning out at a 45 degree angle.

See if you tierods are bent, if not, just re aling it. If you have a half inch play in the steering stem I bet your tie rods are SHOT! Also check the steering stem mount at the bottom. You may have bent the splines.

Ok will def. check the tie rods, when i looked at them last they seemed straight. How do i 'Re Align It'
I have never done this before...
Thanks

[Danny T]

WOW, can't believe i missed it earlier. That tie rod is BENT BIG TIME. so now the question is

1) who makes some good tie rods that are at a decent price.
2) how hard are they to change? (steps please)
3) how do i adjust the steering once i do change the tie rod
And lastly. I looked at my steering stem (the bottom of it) and it looks to be fine. What do you mean by bent the splines..? If i didn't bend the splines what else would cause that?

Thanks

[Colorado700R]

WOW, can't believe i missed it earlier. That tie rod is BENT BIG TIME. so now the question is

1) who makes some good tie rods that are at a decent price.
2) how hard are they to change? (steps please)
3) how do i adjust the steering once i do change the tie rod
And lastly. I looked at my steering stem (the bottom of it) and it looks to be fine. What do you mean by bent the splines..? If i didn't bend the splines what else would cause that?

Thanks

1) Kenneth got me some nice ones for cheap. (KBmotorsports)
2) not hard at all
3) If your lock nuts havent move yet on the stock tie rods, mark them as a reference (Both ends)

[VanillaGorilla]

  One thinig about your tie rods bending is that it keeps more expensive parts from bending.  Just somthing to keep in mind before you buy "heavy duty" rods.

[Danny T]

  One thinig about your tie rods bending is that it keeps more expensive parts from bending.  Just somthing to keep in mind before you buy "heavy duty" rods.

Yea thats why i ended up just buying the stockers again.

WOW, can't believe i missed it earlier. That tie rod is BENT BIG TIME. so now the question is

1) who makes some good tie rods that are at a decent price.
2) how hard are they to change? (steps please)
3) how do i adjust the steering once i do change the tie rod
And lastly. I looked at my steering stem (the bottom of it) and it looks to be fine. What do you mean by bent the splines..? If i didn't bend the splines what else would cause that?

Thanks

1) Kenneth got me some nice ones for cheap. (KBmotorsports)
2) not hard at all
3) If your lock nuts havent move yet on the stock tie rods, mark them as a reference (Both ends)

Ok ordered some tie rods, and new OMI mount for steering stem. I just need to figure out how to adjust the steering after i install that rod.

Thanks

[thatguy]

man i got this same problem except when my wheels are facing straight my step is pointeing to the right about 15 degrees,any help??

[SanDbUm]

check the blinker fluid.

[Danny T]

UPDATE

OMI Mount for the steering stem MOUNT ($54 shipped to your door) http://www.omiproducts.com/Steering%20Stem%20Mount%20Yamaha.htm 
installed cured the PLAY. The old mount sucked and was bone dry (no greese) This one has a zirk fitting so it should last extra long.
(just a side note. You need to remove all front plastics and gas tank to install this. i am by no means machanically inclide but i was able o do this!)

Adjusting steering cured - to do this i removed the bottom large bolt on the steering stem. And took off the pitman arm, then straightend my wheels, and handle bars, and put back the pitman arm.

Tie Rod - was a piece of cake. I marked where the tierod was threaded in at each side. and installed the new rod in the same position(to ensure same toe in)

Thank for the help hopefully this helps some one in the future.

[Bert]

UPDATE

OMI Mount for the steering stem MOUNT ($54 shipped to your door) http://www.omiproducts.com/Steering%20Stem%20Mount%20Yamaha.htm 
installed cured the PLAY. The old mount sucked and was bone dry (no greese) This one has a zirk fitting so it should last extra long.
(just a side note. You need to remove all front plastics and gas tank to install this. i am by no means machanically inclide but i was able o do this!)

Adjusting steering cured - to do this i removed the bottom large bolt on the steering stem. And took off the pitman arm, then straightend my wheels, and handle bars, and put back the pitman arm.

Tie Rod - was a piece of cake. I marked where the tierod was threaded in at each side. and installed the new rod in the same position(to ensure same toe in)Thank for the help hopefully this helps some one in the future.

Hey dmx, its OMI not EMI    I would measure your toe in to be sure, using the old settings is a great way to ball park it but not 100% accurate. I read a tip in Quad magazine, use tie down straps from the handle bars to the grab bar to keep the handle bars straight for alignment purposes