[2themax]

Have searched for the answer, but didn't seem to read what I'm experiencing.

Noticed out on the trail that I need to turn the wheel farther each side to get the bike to turn.
Also noticed that it still goes fairly straight with the wheel turned " 1/4 " of the way either side ( this is a guess )
- At high speeds, I noticed that I need way more steering input than I did before, and the bike is then dodgy

I loosely checked the Toe after reading/watching and found that my drivers wheel is slightly toe'd in as it should and that the passenger wheel is slightly toed out ( using the string method ) - Service Manual states 4-10 mm
drivers wheel is about 6 in and the passenger is about 2-3 out

I found what seems to be a better method in a video with aluminium angle irons with wheels removed - going to try something like this.

Question - Is there something up with the Steering Rack or is this just an alignment issue ?

Has anyone seen this ? Thanks in advance.

[2themax]

Still experiencing issues with the steering on my Zforce 800 EX
Attached are 2 short videos - moving the steering wheel about 1/8 of a turn barely moves the wheels - also, when I turn to the left, the boot at the steering seems to move upwards and then will move the wheel -
Has anyone seen this ?
I adjusted the toe with the wheel straight but still have the steering wheel turned the same 1/8 to the left - is the rack screwed ?
I did check the bolts on the splines and none were found to be loose

[NMKawierider]

Need to slip the boot off the rack and watch the ball itself while moving the steering wheel...but...I can say from the looks of it the rack is moving and that's giving you the play in the wheel or pinion. And if so...she's gone and needs replaced. Hit anything like a stump or rock in the last couple-hundred miles? Being a 21 seems awful young to have this problem already...oh..wait..I see you have a 2" lift on it. That changes the impact force angle on the tie rods which does lead to earlier wearing of the rack. If CFM would put replaceable sleeves in the housings it would help. Well check the ball first. You can zip-tie the boot back on afterwords.   

[2themax]

Thanks for that as usual
I have looked at the parts online and have not disassembled it, so I
am wondering if the ball Is attached to the tie-rod itself or the actuator ?
I will open the boot tomorrow night.

[NMKawierider]

Thanks for that as usual
I have looked at the parts online and have not disassembled it, so I
am wondering if the ball Is attached to the tie-rod itself or the actuator ?
I will open the boot tomorrow night.

Jump to 2:50 in this video.

[2themax]

I watched the video and also removed the boot from the steering rack of my Zforce.

Question - is the white nylon ring supposed to move outward with the shaft, or is that what is supposed to keep the shaft pushing out straight and seeking the gears ?

If so, can it be pressed back in ?

[NMKawierider]

I watched the video and also removed the boot from the steering rack of my Zforce.

Question - is the white nylon ring supposed to move outward with the shaft, or is that what is supposed to keep the shaft pushing out straight and seeking the gears ?

If so, can it be pressed back in ?

Not 100% sure but when I had one of my boots pulled back I don't recall seeing it move when I turned the steering wheel. I also remember seeing what little grease was there was dried-out and gone from the rack so I re-packed it as best I could.