97 SPX Steering Column

[repieces]

Hello all,
Just found this site last night and thought it was a well rounded forum and there seems to be some good traffic through the site. Anyhow, I've got a 97 SPX and there seems to be quite a bit of play in the handlebars. It's not the actual handlebars themselves, but the steering stem. You can move the assembly up/down and left/right. Are there any bushings for the steering stem on my seadoo? I thought that it was just a nut that was loose, but everything seems tight. Let me know your thoughts on this when you get a chance. Thanks.

 

[seadoosnipe]

Cables....

You can look and make sure that the cable that hooks up to your steering arm, at the handlebars isn't loose. You have a nut on each side that looks the cable down on each side.

If that is tight and o.k., you've likely got wear (from age) at your steering stem (sku 277000375400 for $56.00) or at your steering stem arm (sku 277000165 for $25.00) which is a keyed shaft that has probably over the years worn the keyed area a little, causing some slop. From the sources I use for parts, this seems like something you could repair yourself for under $100 bucks..........Good luck! :cheers:

 

[repieces]

It's not that there is any playing in the actual steering, there's just play in the handlebar assembly. The cables aren't the issue. It has to do with the stem or what holds the stem in place that is causing it to have play. Are there any bushings to replace? Thanks.

 

[seadoosnipe]

No....

Not really. There really aren't any bushings that I saw. It will be wear in those two pieces I quoted you above if all the cables are fine. Probably just the steering arm, the cheaper of the two.

 

[repieces]

Thanks

Ok thanks. I'll have to dig around and take stuff apart. It's not that big of a deal, but everytime I ride it makes me realize that I need to do some maintanence to keep it from falling apart.