SuperATV EZ Steer EPS problem

[Prntckt]

I installed a SuperATV EPS kit in my Talon X4 about 18 months ago, and have been happy with the upgrade. Last fall, I noticed some sloppiness in the steering and found the splines in the middle u-joint had worn smooth. SuperATV sent me a new steering shaft and that took care of the problem. I loctited the fasteners to avoid future problems. I am again starting to notice looseness again in the steering, and intermittantly the steering pulls hard to the left. Alignment is good and I dont see any issues with front end components. Has anyone else ran into this problem, and what did you do to resolve it?

 

[Admin]

 

[906UP]

Cant say I've had the problem but I'll be checking mine. Like you, it's been installed for about a year & half, I'll report back with my findings

 

[Bad_bowtie]

I need to check mine. I've had the Superatv steering for almost 2 years. It's had some slop in it for awhile, but I've kinda gotten used to it and forgotten about it.

 

[ScottJ24]

I installed a SuperATV EPS kit in my Talon X4 about 18 months ago, and have been happy with the upgrade. Last fall, I noticed some sloppiness in the steering and found the splines in the middle u-joint had worn smooth. SuperATV sent me a new steering shaft and that took care of the problem. I loctited the fasteners to avoid future problems. I am again starting to notice looseness again in the steering, and intermittantly the steering pulls hard to the left. Alignment is good and I dont see any issues with front end components. Has anyone else ran into this problem, and what did you do to resolve it?

Just as a matter of practice I always replace both the bolt and the nut if anything gets loose. Replacing just 1 of them is asking for looseness again. I would expect that you will fund that the shaft or the u-joint is the problem. Always replace both parts. That way you have new splines fitting properly. JMO.

 

[SuperATV]

There's a little bit of natural slop in the 220w motors. Its just how the motors are geared. No way around it. The 380w, 400w, and 600w motors are all much tighter because of the gearing...and because they were originally designed for 4 wheelers, which needed the tighter steering.

Not sure on the splines. They need to be tight tight to avoid wear. There shouldn't be any slop on the splines. Just in the 220w motor.

 

[Hometeam]

There's a little bit of natural slop in the 220w motors. Its just how the motors are geared. No way around it. The 380w, 400w, and 600w motors are all much tighter because of the gearing...and because they were originally designed for 4 wheelers, which needed the tighter steering.

Not sure on the splines. They need to be tight tight to avoid wear. There shouldn't be any slop on the splines. Just in the 220w motor.

So would you say that that part should be checked and retorqued on regular basis? We have 3 of the 400 watt kits in our talons and I was wanting to keep up with them as much as possible for longevity. I had thought about welding it if it became a problem but would rather not do that if I didn’t have too. Thanks

 

[SuperATV]

So would you say that that part should be checked and retorqued on regular basis? We have 3 of the 400 watt kits in our talons and I was wanting to keep up with them as much as possible for longevity. I had thought about welding it if it became a problem but would rather not do that if I didn’t have too. Thanks

You shouldn't have to. I guess it wouldn't hurt to check it every couple years, but it should be a "set it and forget it" kinda thing.

They have been the same style shafts we've had since back in the 2000's with the Rhino and RZR 800 days, and I never see any issues with them. The 600w shafts are different and a little more beefed up, but still the same slip u-joint shaft design.

I'm thinking something just wasn't tightened down enough during the initial install on his. That's the only thing I can think of. Or just a random fluke event. I was always "the power steering guru" here for many years, and its just not something I ever ran into. A couple years ago we had a batch of JD Gator shafts that came in with the u-joints phased wrong, but that was pretty easy to spot and fix...but can't think of anything else consistent going back 10-15 years.