G16 loose steering

[Jummygunz3]

I have a 97 Yamaha g16 and the steering has a lot of play in it. It's really sloppy when driving. I was told it's probably the steering box. I checked the tie rods and idler arm and they seem fine. Would it just be the pitman arm? Or does the whole steering box wear and have to be replaced? I never took this apart so any info would be great. Thanks

[Spicyunicorn]

Jack front end up loosen jam nut 11 and screw in 10 until there is a slight drag when turning steering wheel

[Dave in VA]

Originally Posted by Spicyunicorn

Jack front end up loosen jam nut 11 and screw in 10 until there is a slight drag when turning steering wheel

Yep. And you can remove the cover--4 bolts--and pack the box with grease.

[Jummygunz3]

Thanks for the info, I will try that and see what happens

[Buggywhip]

I have the same "play" on my wife's G16. The shaft (#2 in the above schematic) moves up and down as you steer. It appears that the above fixes may at least help the problem. I'll have to wait til spring to try it, the Buggywhip is in storage. Thank you buggies gone wild.

[meimk]

A couple of points from the few of those I've rebuilt:
The wear is often uneven. Since most of the movement is in small adjustments just off of center, those parts tend to wear most just around center. When you tighten the adjuster check the full range of motion. You'll have to compromise the on center tightness against the binding further off center.
The guts are still available, but took long wait time on special order even from major suppliers. The worm gear one piece with the steering shaft up to the steering wheel. The "rollers" (really just ball ends" are one piece with the pitman shaft. There are bearings above and below the worm gear part of the steering shaft.

[expo]

Great advice!! I read this thread, symptom and repair and this was what was wrong with my G2. I had it fixed in 20 minutes and it steers like new. For the curious, my screw had to go in 3/4 turn to make it right.

[Buggywhip]

I ended up pulling the buggy out of storage to have it wrapped for my wife's birthday last week. I looked into the steering this morning. I packed the box with grease and screwed the adjuster screw in to a slight drag. It felt a lot better until you tried to turn the wheel all the way to the right. The drag started to get worse and then it felt like the worm gear jumped a tooth or something. the wheels and steering wheel returned to center, so I don't think it could have jumped a tooth. Probably going to have to take it apart.