[R.Mangrum]

My steering wheel is upside down now. We rode it hard this past weekend for first time and now the steering wheel in upside down going straight. I checked the whole front end out no bends. No visible damage to steering box or anything. Any ideas on what's going on here? It's a brand new zforce 800 ex. Close to 50 miles now. Thanks in advance for any suggestions

[doug80638]

I'll assume the front wheels are pointed straight ahead with good toe adjustment and that the machine will drive straight ahead when you let go of the steering wheel.

If that's the case, then it sounds like skipped gears in the rack, which is unlikely on a new machine.

So I would check that the tie rod lock nuts are tight. If they are, I would check for bent tie rods and bent steering knuckles, the latter which we've seen before.

[NMKawierider]

On many, mine being one, from the factory, the steering shaft spline bolts were left loose which makes the splines get looser and looser. Then it doesn't take much to start jumping or turning. Of course that damages them badly...but that can and will rotate the steering wheel. It can be any or all of them between the wheel and the rack so start checking. I felt the play developing in mine and caught it well before any issues. This is but one reason we strongly suggest everyone check every bolt and nut related to all suspension, chassis, component(drive train), and steering system before any usage. Many have found bolts everywhere loose or at least not to spec from the factory and the dealers WILL NOT check or find these....you have to.   

[R.Mangrum]

Thanks for the input. I'm not a great mechanic or anything but everything is straight and no bends as I stated in first post. There does to seem like there is a little play in the steering. I will check the u joints. I only see 2. Is this correct?  Also is there a correct torque for these? Can't seem to find any info on torque specs online.

[doug80638]

Ah yes! Loose u-joints makes the most sense.

I found it easiest to get at the lower joint by removing the hood and storage box. This gives good access to the top and bottom u-joint bolts.

You can loosen both bolts, slide the joint up, reposition the wheel so it is straight, slide it back down onto the rack, and tighten, with perhaps a bit of blue thread lock.

Good luck!

[NMKawierider]

Ah yes! Loose u-joints makes the most sense.

I found it easiest to get at the lower joint by removing the hood and storage box. This gives good access to the top and bottom u-joint bolts.

You can loosen both bolts, slide the joint up, reposition the wheel so it is straight, slide it back down onto the rack, and tighten, with perhaps a bit of blue thread lock.

Good luck!

Yeah but if it is these that spun, they are now rounded or stripped so they may not be safe even re-set and tightened. Yes R.Mangrum, two if no PS. 4 splined joints if has PS like mine...I think.

[R.Mangrum]

I have power steering so I will some stuff apart and see what I can find. Thanks. I will inspect but seems to be steering fine so may splines won't be stripped. Should I take it to dealer for warranty or will they laugh when they see the dent in the skid plate on the front?

[NMKawierider]

I have power steering so I will some stuff apart and see what I can find. Thanks. I will inspect but seems to be steering fine so may splines won't be stripped. Should I take it to dealer for warranty or will they laugh when they see the dent in the skid plate on the front?

Find it/them if that's what the problem is.. but let the dealer replace the yokes and shafts. Teach them a lesson! You should not have to worry about such stuff.

[R.Mangrum]

Ok finally got time to work on the orange crush. That's what the wife has named it haha. Upon inspection the splines on the shaft seem fine. They all seem to have a half circle cut out to allow bolt to pass through except one on steering box. I cant seem to get it to slide up to adjust the steering wheel. will it be ok just to remove steering wheel reset then reinstall after tightening all bolts?

[doug80638]

After you remove the two bolts, it may be necessary to pry open the gap just a little. That u-joint should slide up and down when loose.

You can remove the steering wheel, but that would not allow you to inspect the spines.

Did you check the top u-joint as well?

[R.Mangrum]

I pried them open to check splines but steering wheel is still off. More side ways than upside down at this point. Just hard to get I right position by myself. Used some wd40 to get it to finally move. Just can't get the damn wheel straight. thought it would be easier to just pull the steering wheel. Because it's still a booger to get that joint to move. But is this even possible before I break yet another nut loose on this brand new machine haha?

[NMKawierider]

Did you ever positively ID the problem and if it was a spline exactly which one? As you have PS, that will be a fixed point. If the problem is above it you will first assure the wheels are straight then remove the spline bolt and separate the a little more with a large screwdriver...or something, then remove the adjuster rod, then the two bolts on the sides of the tilt support bracket. Then pull straight out just enough to clear the splines. Rotate the wheel straight, reinstall.

Now if the problem is below the PS unit, be prepared to pull the unit's mounting bolts so you can re-align the splines below, then reinstall the upper as before with the wheel straight. One in your photo looks to have slid partly out. make sure all are where they need to be and if any have just a cut-out on one side for the bolt and not a full ring around the shaft, center that on the bolt hole.

This all assumes the splines o the steering shaft is/was the problem. I can't see it in my mind but some have reported that upon an impact with the wheels turned they have bent or warped the rack enough to let the pinion jump teeth or bind depending on the direction. Please do inspect all aspects of this thing.

[R.Mangrum]

All the bolts didnt seem super tight. They broke loose real easy. I assumed that was the problem. It did take a few hard hits that day. I didn't see anything bent on the rack. Should you not be able to see that flat cut out. I slide that spline with the exposed flat spot till it was flush with the bottom of the joint on the inside. The one on the bottom at the actual steering box was the only one I saw that didnt have a half circle or flat spot cut in it. So I slid it up turned the wheel but evidently the wheel weren't straight so steering wheel is still side ways. Guess I can tear it back down and try again haha. Just was trying to find a lazy ass fix haha. Sometimes I have to tell myself to quit being lazy. Upon tightening these though any play in the steering is now gone. It was a little sloppy when I first bought it  why assumed the loose u joints were the problem. I really appreciate all the input guys. Any more will be great as well.

[NMKawierider]

You say it did take some impacts..take a super-close look ate the steering knuckles where the tie rods connect. Many have bent the arms. That would also make the toe-in way off as well so check that too.