Steering stem WTF?

PDX RAPTOR · #1 (**permalink**) 02-14-2010, 05:34 PM

Hi guys, I went to change my stem over to a Houser +2 and I am running into some problems. 1st issue is the tie rod bushings will not come off of the stem. I'm afraid if i hammer much harder I am going to jack up the threads. Any tips? 2nd issue is the stem bolt on the bottom. What kind of design is that? Is there a special tool that fits in there? Not even sure how I can unbend the cotter pin.

REEKERS529 · #2 (**permalink**) 02-14-2010, 06:29 PM

first leave the nut a little way on the tie rod ends and beat it out, that way you can spare the threads, as far as the bottom you have to take the two allen screws off and remove the whole bearing assembly to get to the bottom nut.

PDX RAPTOR · #3 (**permalink**) 02-14-2010, 06:41 PM

Those Allen heads feel like they are going to strip before they break loose. Guess I'll spray the whole thing and let it sit for awhile. Thanks

nkeen07 · #4 (**permalink**) 02-14-2010, 06:48 PM

Ya. Good advice reekers. Exactly how you have to do it. And on the allens...after I got them out I replaced them w/hex heads. You can get a set of vice grips to them...lock the vice grips on and spin both them and the allen wrench at the same time. Way easier and prevents stripped.

AZkfx450rider · #5 (**permalink**) 02-15-2010, 01:04 AM

well i agree with leaving the nuts on but i would take the nuts off and flip them backwards so the castlelated side is on first ( this prevents smashing the castlelated part of the nut) after you get those off take the 2 allen bolts off, I used a allen wrench and make sure its in straight, push down on the bend to make sure it stays straight and flat in the hole and if needed take a wrench slide the circle end over the allen wrench to give leverage, after that slide it up and take the bottom nut off(make sure to keep an eye on which is which cause the tie rod nut will fit on the bottom of the stem but the bottom of the stem one wont go all the way on the tie rod threads, we sprayed mine down with some lubricant stuff before pounding away
i bought a walsh stem bottom and it comes with 10mils

if you strip the bolts out you can take a grinder to the top of the allen bolt and cut a slot in it and use a flat head to get them out(but will need to replace the bolts after cause that slot will greatly weaken them)

PDX RAPTOR · #6 (**permalink**) 02-16-2010, 04:23 AM

Thanks I managed to beat the tie rod ends off, but still have not gotten the steering stop allens loose. It is a real p.i.t.a trying to keep the allen straight while pushing down and trying to turn. Not to mention there is no room to work with. Changing the stem on my Raptor took about 30 min with a beer in one hand. This whole job has been very frustrating. Thanks for all the help though.

nkeen07 · #7 (**permalink**) 02-16-2010, 07:17 AM

Once you replace them w/hex heads it's a breeze. After my build I decided to go to a ATV Four-Play plus one stem w/soft bars and it only took about 20 minutes to swap stems w/the quad fully together (that's including removing everything from the old bars and getting the Precision stabilizer and break lines outta the way). You can take the stem out w/the lower mount still on it...just takes some patience to get it past the rad.