Steering Stem Play

Questions and comments about converting to beefier forks..
Post Reply
RailwayRog
Supporting Member I
Supporting Member I
Posts: 46
Joined: 09:57 pm Jul 24 2012
Country:
Location: Long Island, NY

Steering Stem Play

Post by RailwayRog »

Okay I bought a 2002 KX 250 front end for my 2006 KDX, it looks like it might just bolt up with out swapping stems.
But I noticed that the stem on the kx is loose in the clamp, it actually slides a little up and down and you can turn the stem while holding the clamp.
Shouldn't it be tight cause it's pressed in?
I noticed the kx stem is made out of aluminum verses steel on the kdx.
Any suggestions on what I should do, is this dangerous?
Should I have my kdx stem pressed on in place of the kx stem?
Image
User avatar
dude541
Supporting Member I
Supporting Member I
Posts: 300
Joined: 03:25 pm May 04 2012
Country:
Location: kidderminster,worcestershire. UK

Steering Stem Play

Post by dude541 »

something not right there bud,it should be tight!
im sure on the 2002 you will need the kdx stem pressed in,depending if that lower kx yoke is worn or if it is the stem?!
you may also require some knurling.

all the info you need you should find here http://kdxrider.net/forums/viewtopic.php?f=104&t=1785
best regards
john
Image
User avatar
diymirage
Supporting Member II
Supporting Member II
Posts: 2909
Joined: 05:00 pm Sep 19 2011
Country:
Location: michigan

Re: Steering Stem Play

Post by diymirage »

the bad news is something is definatly wrong

the good news is you will be using your KDX stem anyway and if you send it all in to Ron Black he'll get her all tightened up for you, no problem
newbbewb wrote:DIYmirage has it right.


-1996 KDX 200 woods weapon (converted to 99 green body)
-1996 KDX 200 plated street toy (barney edition)
-2003 Yamaha TTR125-L (wifeys bike)
-1997 KDX 220 project bike
User avatar
rbates9
Supporting Member II
Supporting Member II
Posts: 3164
Joined: 06:07 pm Apr 27 2010
Country:
Location: UPSTATE New York

Steering Stem Play

Post by rbates9 »

It looks like the snap ring on the bottom of the stem is missing. The lower triple has a step in the bottom part of the bore that the snap ring on the stem will fit into and keep the stem from migrating up. The stem needs to be removed by pushing the stem out the bottom of the clamp. If it is too worn much then you will need to get a new triple clamp. The only way to know for sure is to remove the stem and see how the KDX stem fits.
RailwayRog
Supporting Member I
Supporting Member I
Posts: 46
Joined: 09:57 pm Jul 24 2012
Country:
Location: Long Island, NY

Steering Stem Loose

Post by RailwayRog »

Today when I was disassembling my kx forks I had to use some force to pull one of them apart and this is what happened to the bushing.
Is it still reusable?
Image
User avatar
SS109
KDXRider.net
KDXRider.net
Posts: 5770
Joined: 05:11 am Aug 23 2009
Country: USA
Location: Tucson, AZ, USA
Contact:

Steering Stem Play

Post by SS109 »

Is that the internals of the forks?
Youtube Channel: WildAzzRacing
AZ State Parks & Trails OHV Ambassador - Trail Riders of Southern AZ
Current KDX: '98 KDX220
Old KDX: '90 KDX200 -White/Blue
'11 GasGas EC250R
User avatar
rbates9
Supporting Member II
Supporting Member II
Posts: 3164
Joined: 06:07 pm Apr 27 2010
Country:
Location: UPSTATE New York

Steering Stem Play

Post by rbates9 »

It looks like you will need a seal and bushing kit.
RailwayRog
Supporting Member I
Supporting Member I
Posts: 46
Joined: 09:57 pm Jul 24 2012
Country:
Location: Long Island, NY

Steering Stem Play

Post by RailwayRog »

SS109 wrote:Is that the internals of the forks?
Yes, that's just from whacking it apart.
User avatar
SS109
KDXRider.net
KDXRider.net
Posts: 5770
Joined: 05:11 am Aug 23 2009
Country: USA
Location: Tucson, AZ, USA
Contact:

Steering Stem Play

Post by SS109 »

Then I'm with Rbates, new seals and bushings are in order.
Youtube Channel: WildAzzRacing
AZ State Parks & Trails OHV Ambassador - Trail Riders of Southern AZ
Current KDX: '98 KDX220
Old KDX: '90 KDX200 -White/Blue
'11 GasGas EC250R
User avatar
KDXGarage
KDXRider.net
KDXRider.net
Posts: 14047
Joined: 06:45 am Nov 01 2004
Country: United States of America
Location: AL, USA
Contact:

Re: Steering Stem Play

Post by KDXGarage »

HECK NO!!! It is pure trash, now. Pour boiling water over the seal area next time to TRY to save a bushing. If it had never been changed (most ebay forks have not), then it was way past time anyway.
Thank you for participating on kdxrider.net. :bravo:
To post pictures from a device: viewtopic.php?f=88&t=24128
Post Reply