Steering Stem Play

RailwayRog · Post by **RailwayRog** » 04:17 pm Jan 20 2013

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?

dude541 · Post by **dude541** » 05:01 pm Jan 20 2013

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

diymirage · Post by **diymirage** » 05:45 pm Jan 20 2013

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

rbates9 · Post by **rbates9** » 06:48 pm Jan 20 2013

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 · Post by **RailwayRog** » 03:59 pm Jan 21 2013

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?

Post by **SS109** » 05:54 pm Jan 21 2013

Is that the internals of the forks?

rbates9 · Post by **rbates9** » 06:43 pm Jan 21 2013

It looks like you will need a seal and bushing kit.

RailwayRog · Post by **RailwayRog** » 09:19 pm Jan 21 2013

SS109 wrote:Is that the internals of the forks?

Yes, that's just from whacking it apart.

Post by **SS109** » 10:34 pm Jan 21 2013

Then I'm with Rbates, new seals and bushings are in order.

Post by **KDXGarage** » 12:44 pm Jan 23 2013

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.

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