Unequal turn radius. 97 GSX

[Krispy]

So today I completed the Georgia required vessel registration with my project GSX.

I have had it on a few shake down runs, one problem I have is that the steering nozzle does not turn an equal amount to either side, this makes right turns huge (200 ft radius) and left turns on a dime.

Here are some pics of the bar turned and the nozzle reaction

LH Turn

m

RH Turn

LH Bars

RH Bars

LH Nozzle

RH Nozzle

So my theory is this, someone installed the wrong steering cable, and or the cable is out of adjustments.

I haven't messed with it yet, figured I would pose it to you all and see what you figure....




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[Mekanix]

I don't think its set right up under the handlebars.
Set that first so you have equal cable travel and then set the cable in the back.

 

[Krispy]

Ya know, the strange thing is when the bars are centered the nozzle is centered.


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[ocod]

Check to see if cable is corroded.
It happened to me on the XP.

The cable binds/flexes internally.

 

[Mekanix]

If you install the cable and turn it all the way in you get something similar to this where the sweep of the arm attached to the cable acts like this.

Try this. Turn left and then turn right. Find out where the nozzle is centered between its full travel ( its going to be more to the left)
Then adjust the cable at the back so that the cable stays where it is but you center the nozzle and adjust the cable there so that it lines up with the nozzle but doesn't move in at all. Then fine adjust your steering cable under the bars to make them straight.

After that you should have equal travel.

I've seen a cable installed all the way in the front and then compensated in the back to make the nozzle straight but it only turned left period, either straight or left lol..

 

[manolocross]

No way... That's gotta be the wrong steering cable... That's my 2 cents.


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[Mekanix]

Way too long ?

 

[racerxxx]

Look at the cable itself, on the sheath they stamp the part# in it, 271000436

By the way, that's a NASCAR ski--only makes lefts.

 

[Krispy]

Lol Racer, I prefer Formula 1 to NASCAR.

I disconnected the cable from the handle bar side and pulled it out into the engine area, no part number to be found.

I didn't pull it through the hull, I figured I would give adjustment a try.

I loosened both jam nuts at the rod ends and re assembled everything, as it turns out I needed the cable shorter.

I adjusted the 2 rod ends to the shortest setting and re assembled, it helped but only a tad.

I ended up making it much better by changing the mounting point of the cable housing. Here is a pic of a spare cable I have to show the change. Note the position of the black collar.

From this;

To this:

I snugged everything back down and checked center

On this ski there is a nice hole in the steering column, just big enough for a 3/16" drill bit, installing this allowed me to ensure the bars were centered.

Everything looked pretty close, but I verified using a straight edge on the nozzle, measuring the distance from the edge to the hull on both sides

I ended up needing to turn the rear rod end about 1 whole turn to get everything straight again.

All is well now! Hopefully a water test later today.




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[marquisman]

I have a similar issue, with my GSX. It seems to be an issue with the cable mount, at the back of the machine though.

 

[Mekanix]

Cool. All comes down to adjustment.

what about some after pics?

 

[Krispy]

Cool. All comes down to adjustment.

what about some after pics?

Sure thing, fresh off the lake. Actually I am reporting live from the parking lot.

She isn't pretty yet bit finally running well!

Straight

Left

Right

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[Mekanix]

looks pretty daam good !

It would be awesome to have more travel though
Do some 360 donuts

 

[manolocross]

I guess I was wrong about it being the wrong cable.... How did it get out of adjustment??? It still looks like nozzle turns more to right than left.


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[Krispy]

I guess I was wrong about it being the wrong cable.... How did it get out of adjustment??? It still looks like nozzle turns more to right than left.


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I can't explain this ski a whole lot. I get surprises every time I pull something apart. For example, I pull the pump to inspect it, there are non stainless nuts, missing washers and lock washers. However, the wear ring and pump oil were brand new.

When I picked this ski up the VTS linkage was a home brew concoction made of all thread, the nozzle was repaired with JB weld. When I checked the carbs they had been freshly rebuilt.

I feel like there have been 2 distinct folks working on this ski, the first was someone who knew what was up, the second was an idiot. The second one likely had to adjust the cable when he put on the JB weld nozzle.

I agree it looks uneven to the right, but I measured it, they are the same, it is an optical illusion.


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[BigAl57]

I just got my 97 GSX running great but I need to tweak the steering. Your photos are very helpful. Thanks,

 

[Krispy]

I just got my 97 GSX running great but I need to tweak the steering. Your photos are very helpful. Thanks,

You are very welcome,

Check post #9 photo #3.

Last time I was out on the GSX I was doing some hard turns and acceleration, I lost a bit of my steering centering. I believe that my collar has slipped in the clamp shown in the picture. Be sure to fully seat and tighten that clamp completely.

 

[Matt Braley]

That ring of the collar fits in the groove of the clamp and you have it on the outside. Normally you can just loosen the clamp a little on each bolt, give it a squirt of spray lube, and spin it either way why it stays right there in the clamp.
It's possible someone replaced your steering cable and screwed the collar on backwards.

 

[Krispy]

That ring of the collar fits in the groove of the clamp and you have it on the outside. Normally you can just loosen the clamp a little on each bolt, give it a squirt of spray lube, and spin it either way why it stays right there in the clamp.
It's possible someone replaced your steering cable and screwed the collar on backwards.

So the largest diameter of the ring actually goes inside the clamp? Or on the other side of the clamp?

 

[nckb]

There is a groove inside the clamp that the larger diameter fits into. Holds everything solid with no slipping.

 

[Krispy]

That ring of the collar fits in the groove of the clamp and you have it on the outside. Normally you can just loosen the clamp a little on each bolt, give it a squirt of spray lube, and spin it either way why it stays right there in the clamp.
It's possible someone replaced your steering cable and screwed the collar on backwards.

A big thank you Matt! Both of my skis had the outer diameter in the wrong spot. I just corrected them both.

Thanks for chiming in!

 

[Matt Braley]

No problem bud, glad you got it sorted.