Steering Troubleshooting

basshawk84 · 03-12-2011, 07:37 AM

06 ST Sport 2+2 steering issues. The cart wanders really bad. I've checked the toe in adjustment and have it set to 1/4". I've checked the tie rods and they have no vertical play in them. I've got a new set of tires/wheels, 23" tires with 12" wheels. I have noticed that i do have some play where the linkage connects to the steering housing. I can't tighten up the nut any further on the flange. The play is probably less than 1/8" in and out.

I don't seem to have much play in the steering wheel.

Looking for other things to check. Any help would be appreciated.

rocknrone · 03-12-2011, 10:27 AM

You should set the toe in straight or no more than 1/8" and that will straighten things out.

basshawk84 · 03-12-2011, 04:14 PM

I'll give it another shot, but have had it from straight to 1/4" with no appreciable difference. I've got a feeling there something worn in the front end, I'm just not familiar enough on what to look for.

basshawk84 · 03-13-2011, 05:06 AM

OK, I set the toe in straight and at 1/8" with not much change in the problem. The cart drifts, the faster it goes the worse the problem gets. I'm not sure if I would call it "bump steering problems", but it could be.

What else can I check?

kgsc · 03-13-2011, 08:45 AM

Did it do this before the new wheels and tires ??

basshawk84 · 03-13-2011, 09:26 AM

Yes, just not as bad. It had the stock trail tires and 10" rims when I bought it. Those tires vibrated quite a bit. These new rims are 12" and the tires are 11" wide. The wheels are more offset than stock, so the stance is wider. I think that just amplified the problem.

I set it as close to zero toe in as I could get it this morning, but haven't taken it out for a ride yet. I could swap the rims frront to back or with the other cart that I have to eliminate that possiblity.

basshawk84 · 03-14-2011, 02:32 PM

Took it for a ride and the problem still exists. I am guessing that you have to take the steering assembly off to actually work on it. Looks like three bolkts on the steering column, three more underneath, unhook the tie rods and it comes out. If I take a look at the rack, check for worn or wobbled out teeth and look at the gear that mates with it from the steering column, those should be the two most likely culprits.

Am I on the right track?

03-12-2011, 07:37 AM	#1
basshawk84 Gone Wild Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: East Texas Posts: 586	Steering Troubleshooting 06 ST Sport 2+2 steering issues. The cart wanders really bad. I've checked the toe in adjustment and have it set to 1/4". I've checked the tie rods and they have no vertical play in them. I've got a new set of tires/wheels, 23" tires with 12" wheels. I have noticed that i do have some play where the linkage connects to the steering housing. I can't tighten up the nut any further on the flange. The play is probably less than 1/8" in and out. I don't seem to have much play in the steering wheel. Looking for other things to check. Any help would be appreciated.

03-12-2011, 10:27 AM	#2
rocknrone Romans 1 : 16 Unashamed Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Scuffletown, SC Posts: 484	Re: Steering Troubleshooting You should set the toe in straight or no more than 1/8" and that will straighten things out.

03-12-2011, 04:14 PM	#3
basshawk84 Gone Wild Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: East Texas Posts: 586	Re: Steering Troubleshooting I'll give it another shot, but have had it from straight to 1/4" with no appreciable difference. I've got a feeling there something worn in the front end, I'm just not familiar enough on what to look for.

03-13-2011, 05:06 AM	#4
basshawk84 Gone Wild Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: East Texas Posts: 586	Re: Steering Troubleshooting OK, I set the toe in straight and at 1/8" with not much change in the problem. The cart drifts, the faster it goes the worse the problem gets. I'm not sure if I would call it "bump steering problems", but it could be. What else can I check?

03-13-2011, 08:45 AM	#5
kgsc Gone Wild Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Aiken, SC Posts: 13,174	Re: Steering Troubleshooting Did it do this before the new wheels and tires ??

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03-13-2011, 09:26 AM	#6
basshawk84 Gone Wild Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: East Texas Posts: 586	Re: Steering Troubleshooting Yes, just not as bad. It had the stock trail tires and 10" rims when I bought it. Those tires vibrated quite a bit. These new rims are 12" and the tires are 11" wide. The wheels are more offset than stock, so the stance is wider. I think that just amplified the problem. I set it as close to zero toe in as I could get it this morning, but haven't taken it out for a ride yet. I could swap the rims frront to back or with the other cart that I have to eliminate that possiblity.

03-14-2011, 02:32 PM	#7
basshawk84 Gone Wild Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: East Texas Posts: 586	Re: Steering Troubleshooting Took it for a ride and the problem still exists. I am guessing that you have to take the steering assembly off to actually work on it. Looks like three bolkts on the steering column, three more underneath, unhook the tie rods and it comes out. If I take a look at the rack, check for worn or wobbled out teeth and look at the gear that mates with it from the steering column, those should be the two most likely culprits. Am I on the right track?

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