P500 Could not steer. Rack & Pinion had major issue after mud hole.

[pFive]

So I went riding Saturday and had two different issues that put me on the trailer. Rode around for about 30 minutes and after going through a watery muddy hole at speed the steering wheel started to get really stiff to turn. A buddy said his kids 800RZR does the same thing when it gets water in the rack, he eluded to it hydro locking.

Now, this also happened to me 3 weeks ago (after a big puddle) and since it was at the end of the day I just parked it and the next day it seemed fine but I had no major ride that day, just loaded up after a ride around to see if it was still messed up, and it seemed fine. I also rode it around the yard during this last week to be sure it was ready for a big weekend outing and all seemed fine.

Also when I headed back to the trailer I noticed it pulling hard to the left, kinda felt like a flat tire, it started to squeal like a bearing was going out.

So, I came home and pressure washed everything last night down and this morning I did a basic inspection and other than a few torn CV axle boots all seems good. I cannot get the problem to replicate itself. It turns well and the wheels spin freely. The gators on the rack are not damaged and I cant see any obvious issue. I am going to guess that the squeal from the front left was from rocks jammed into the caliper area and after the wash the issue resolved itself, it could have been a rock wedged between the rim and caliper for all I know. The wheel free spins and has no side play or slop in the bearing.

But the rack and the steering issue is a big deal, it gets wet and I cant steer. I cant have that.
I don't want to load this thing up for another ride only to go back on the trailer. Has anyone else had the steering issue?

Can someone with a service manual look and see if the rack has a grease fitting that I can use to purge any water out of it?

 

[Admin]

 

[Montecresto]

So I went riding Saturday and had two different issues that put me on the trailer. Rode around for about 30 minutes and after going through a watery muddy hole at speed the steering wheel started to get really stiff to turn. A buddy said his kids 800RZR does the same thing when it gets water in the rack, he eluded to it hydro locking.

Now, this also happened to me 3 weeks ago (after a big puddle) and since it was at the end of the day I just parked it and the next day it seemed fine but I had no major ride that day, just loaded up after a ride around to see if it was still messed up, and it seemed fine. I also rode it around the yard during this last week to be sure it was ready for a big weekend outing and all seemed fine.

Also when I headed back to the trailer I noticed it pulling hard to the left, kinda felt like a flat tire, it started to squeal like a bearing was going out.

So, I came home and pressure washed everything last night down and this morning I did a basic inspection and other than a few torn CV axle boots all seems good. I cannot get the problem to replicate itself. It turns well and the wheels spin freely. The gators on the rack are not damaged and I cant see any obvious issue. I am going to guess that the squeal from the front left was from rocks jammed into the caliper area and after the wash the issue resolved itself, it could have been a rock wedged between the rim and caliper for all I know. The wheel free spins and has no side play or slop in the bearing.

But the rack and the steering issue is a big deal, it gets wet and I cant steer. I cant have that.
I don't want to load this thing up for another ride only to go back on the trailer. Has anyone else had the steering issue?

Can someone with a service manual look and see if the rack has a grease fitting that I can use to purge any water out of it?

View attachment 19707

Can't say that I've ever had that trouble pFive. I don't like the thought that waters getting into the steering rack though. And it's not comforting just because it happens to the RZR. I've been through lots of water, some mud holes, but I typically avoid them because I just don't want to get that sandy muddy water into everything, especially the break linings, rotors, bearings......

 

[pFive]

If anybody knows where I can get a service manual .pdf file that would be great, I need to see if it has a grease zerk. I will look for a crack in the rack housing.

 

[Hondasxs]

If anybody knows where I can get a service manual .pdf file that would be great, I need to see if it has a grease zerk. I will look for a crack in the rack housing.

I have not see the 500 in PDF yet. I have a print copy but it will be Monday b4 I can get images.
FYI. Honda is not a fan of zerk's. So my guess is there is not.

 

[pFive]

I have not see the 500 in PDF yet. I have a print copy but it will be Monday b4 I can get images.
FYI. Honda is not a fan of zerk's. So my guess is there is not.

Thanks for the heads up. I need to buy a manual but l prefer them on my shop tablet whenever possible, its easier to zoom than find glasses..

 

[bskerj]

Here is a picture of the steering assembly..hope it helps

 

[Delton]

My foreman acted exactly like that when my left front CV started locking up from riding with a torn boot. It'd be fine one second then bike would pull hard left and be really hard to steer. I'm mentioning this cause you said it had torn boots. Just a thought.

 

[bskerj]

Trouble shooting guide from service manual.

 

[tig]

My foreman acted exactly like that when my left front CV started locking up from riding with a torn boot. It'd be fine one second then bike would pull hard left and be really hard to steer. I'm mentioning this cause you said it had torn boots. Just a thought.

This. If you have torn CV boots my bet it that you have an outboard joint going out that's causing the pulling and steering issues.

 

[pFive]

My foreman acted exactly like that when my left front CV started locking up from riding with a torn boot. It'd be fine one second then bike would pull hard left and be really hard to steer. I'm mentioning this cause you said it had torn boots. Just a thought.

I agree, good call. I took the axle out and then took the CV apart for inspection, it was full of water and dirty. It had to be the issue.

New boots are on order. Now I need stick stoppers, but man those are over priced.

 

[Montecresto]

I agree, good call. I took the axle out and then took the CV apart for inspection, it was full of water and dirty. It had to be the issue.

New boots are on order. Now I need stick stoppers, but man those are over priced.

They are indeed overpriced, and not even close to 100% protection.

 

[Delton]

I agree, good call. I took the axle out and then took the CV apart for inspection, it was full of water and dirty. It had to be the issue.

New boots are on order. Now I need stick stoppers, but man those are over priced.

I just threw that out there as a possibility. I looked for the problem for a long time before discovering the CV problem. Just didn't seem logical in my pea sized brain that the joint would make it pull to one side like that. Glad thats what it was.

 

[trigger]

They are indeed overpriced, and not even close to 100% protection.

Like everything for these they are overpriced. Decent protection though.
Better than nothing as pfive can attest to.

 

[pFive]

I have these on order..

Honda Pioneer 500 Front & Rear Stick Guards A Arm Boot Protectors Skids

 

[trigger]

I have these on order..

Honda Pioneer 500 Front & Rear Stick Guards A Arm Boot Protectors Skids

I have the ones from strong made. About the same price if I remember.
You'll be glad you did it pfive.

 

[pFive]

I went with the aluminum over the SSS because with my wheel spacers I may need to weld on more material to protect voids. That and the SSS were $140 for the fronts alone. I have the SSS skid plate on now, its awesome but I don't think I will be sliding off a rock with my lower a arms hard enough to damage these.

 

[trigger]

I went with the aluminum over the SSS because with my wheel spacers I may need to weld on more material to protect voids. That and the SSS were $140 for the fronts alone. I have the SSS skid plate on now, its awesome but I don't think I will be sliding off a rock with my lower a arms hard enough to damage these.

Yeah, mine are steel too. Wanted too much for the aluminum ones.
I have 1" spacers on mine and didn't see the need for extension. You went with 2" didn't you?

 

[Montecresto]

Like everything for these they are overpriced. Decent protection though.
Better than nothing as pfive can attest to.

They are better than nothing!!!

 

[Montecresto]

Yeah, mine are steel too. Wanted too much for the aluminum ones.
I have 1" spacers on mine and didn't see the need for extension. You went with 2" didn't you?

You can get the aluminum ones half price from a member named Alan.

 

[pFive]

Yeah, mine are steel too. Wanted too much for the aluminum ones.
I have 1" spacers on mine and didn't see the need for extension. You went with 2" didn't you?

Yeah, since my tires were so narrow I felt it would help. It puts me right at 54" wide overall.