Talon questionable steering.

[ThunderChicken]

1st time out on my new talon x. Rode over a hundred miles in WV this weekend. A few times I seemed to notice what I would call questionable steering response. It seemed to be fine when turning right. the least little movement of the steering wheel would turn the wheels and you would go right. A few left turns it would seem to take a lot of steering wheel movement to go left. Almost a sloppy too easy feel to it. then it would seem to correct it itself. didn't seem to matter what terrain rocks, mud holes or 50 mph down the highway. most of the time it was perfect other times not so much.

 

[MFG]

check your front end alignment. A bunch of Talons where delivered with the alignment way off. Mine was a good inch to two inches out. I set mine at zero but an eight inch towed in would not hurt.

 

[Smitty335]

check your front end alignment. A bunch of Talons where delivered with the alignment way off. Mine was a good inch to two inches out. I set mine at zero but an eight inch towed in would not hurt.

Not just Talons, all there S X S's!

 

[HondaTech]

I've had a few Talons that have had the wheel rub the A-arm due to the steering rack being out of adjustment left or right.

 

[Fyathyrio]

I read this question this morning, and was gonna give a smartass response of some sort, but went to vote & then hit the trails instead. For whatever reason, this question popped into my head while out riding.

What it sounds like from your limited description is under-steer, the front end sliding instead of turning while on slick or soft surfaces and when off the gas. Try hitting the gas next time you feel that, a little gas and it'll be neutral, a lot and the back end breaks loose and comes around nicely.

I doubt it's mechanical since it's intermittent, and the only on left turn issue could be a comfort zone thing where you're subconsciously more cautious on left turns. (Mine is lean angle, I don't like right hand as far as left hand lean)

Embrace rear steer, slow down before the turn, downshift, stomp gas to bring rear around, squirt out down the trail. Works best in 2WD.

 

[Plumber32]

Make sure you didn't bend a tie rod.

 

[popeye]

I know my talon came new from the dealership 1 1/2” toe out, after setting it to an 1/8” toe in, it cornered like it was on rails

 

[ThunderChicken]

sorry if its seem like a strange question. it just isn't consistent. That's what has me baffled. no sliding of the rear end no slippage of the tires on slippery surfaces. Sometimes even on the pavement. just the slightest right turn of the wheel and it moves right. Then some left turns it takes almost 3/4 of a turn to get any left hand movement. BUT its NOT all the time thats whats confusing. Could all be in my mind. Getting first service tomorrow. I'll have everything checked then.

 

[Mothgrey]

Hey Thunder I just took my Talon in for service. I'm having a steering issue also. Mine I felt the fist time a week ago in WV I was on the road and about 1/4 to 1/3 turn to the left the wheel was fighting me like it didn't want to turn. Then it kept doing it. I took it to the dealer Saturday and when I unloaded it I put it in park and turned the steering wheel it did the same thing sitting still. I had the guy checking me in feel it also it was there turning right also but not as bad. It felt like it was trying to get past a bad steering knuckle or one at a bad angle. I'm hoping to hear back this week.

 

[RB3offroad]

check your front end alignment. A bunch of Talons where delivered with the alignment way off. Mine was a good inch to two inches out. I set mine at zero but an eight inch towed in would not hurt.

check your front end alignment. A bunch of Talons where delivered with the alignment way off. Mine was a good inch to two inches out. I set mine at zero but an eight inch towed in would not hurt.

I agree alot of them have been out alignment, but it should be that way alway so that is concerning when it is happening only sometimes.

 

[Ragnar406]

@my99svt - has a similar issue

 

[robman]

I read on one of the facebook talon groups that it could be caused by low voltage from the battery. He said the voltage would drop to about 9 volts when turning the steering wheel while driving. You may have a bad battery. That's what I got from the post.

 

[Smitty335]

I read on one of the facebook talon groups that it could be caused by low voltage from the battery. He said the voltage would drop to about 9 volts when turning the steering wheel while driving. You may have a bad battery. That's what I got from the post.

Wow! That would be a simple check and fix!

 

[JTW]

I read on one of the facebook talon groups that it could be caused by low voltage from the battery. He said the voltage would drop to about 9 volts when turning the steering wheel while driving. You may have a bad battery. That's what I got from the post.

That would make sense as it’s an electric assist PS system. It wouldn’t be the first time bad batteries from Honda have caused some weird issues.

 

[PaulF]

That would make sense as it’s an electric assist PS system. It wouldn’t be the first time bad batteries from Honda have caused some weird issues.

Don't forget about lose/rusty/corroded grounds too.

 

[my99svt]

Hey Thunder I just took my Talon in for service. I'm having a steering issue also. Mine I felt the fist time a week ago in WV I was on the road and about 1/4 to 1/3 turn to the left the wheel was fighting me like it didn't want to turn. Then it kept doing it. I took it to the dealer Saturday and when I unloaded it I put it in park and turned the steering wheel it did the same thing sitting still. I had the guy checking me in feel it also it was there turning right also but not as bad. It felt like it was trying to get past a bad steering knuckle or one at a bad angle. I'm hoping to hear back this week.

If you are still a member here, What did your dealer say about this?

 

[Smitty335]

I agree alot of them have been out alignment, but it should be that way alway so that is concerning when it is happening only sometimes.

It's an additional charge if you want a Honda alignment right!

 

[HondaTech]

It's an additional charge if you want a Honda alignment right!

Find a dealer who cares and you wont pay a dime!

 

[RB3offroad]

Find a dealer who cares and you wont pay a dime!

I agree - we always use Wester Honda and they are the best

 

[Smitty335]

Find a dealer who cares and you wont pay a dime!

Got any suggestions around NW Arkansas? After Honda comes out with a Pioneer with suspension and added HP, I will start looking, if I haven't bought a Yamaha by then! I really think Honda is really stupid with the Talon, too much gizmos to go wrong!