UXV 450i steering is Loose. Normal ?

[uxv450uxv700]

 Hello- New member here and new to owning a SXS.  I bought my dad a Kymco uxv450 about 5 weeks ago. first time I ever drove a Kymco. A 2015  used in a campground/ park  development. never been in woods. looks new. 1700 miles. they used it to plow their driveway.go to beach and ride around. On test ride with plow installed on dirt road. steering felt heavy with plow. Now that we had it 5 weeks, with no plow, the steering seems loose to me, it's like darts side to side. is that normal ? I just bought a 2021 UXV700 with eps. it steers like my car. it's precise.

[airshot]

Could be a couple things...I also have a 2015 450i, so I have had minor steering issues as well.  First thing to check is ball on the steering arm where the tie rod attaches, they can come loose, but there is a cotter key so they cant fall out.  They also wear from the heavy plow, I have replaced mine (3k miles) ...If ball joint is tight then a front end alignment may be needed.  I use n 8' long straight edge to align front and back wheels, I set mine to 1/8" or less toe in on each side.  Look at tire wear...badly worn or uneven worn tires can cause wobble, especially on pavement. Hpoe these ideas help your issues..by the way,  I can steer my 450i with one hand in 4wd and it tracks straight as an arrow on the road, dont know why I would ever need power steering?? And I am 72 yrs old!!

[uxv450uxv700]

Could be a couple things...I also have a 2015 450i, so I have had minor steering issues as well.  First thing to check is ball on the steering arm where the tie rod attaches, they can come loose, but there is a cotter key so they cant fall out.  They also wear from the heavy plow, I have replaced mine (3k miles) ...If ball joint is tight then a front end alignment may be needed.  I use n 8' long straight edge to align front and back wheels, I set mine to 1/8" or less toe in on each side.  Look at tire wear...badly worn or uneven worn tires can cause wobble, especially on pavement. Hpoe these ideas help your issues..by the way,  I can steer my 450i with one hand in 4wd and it tracks straight as an arrow on the road, dont know why I would ever need power steering?? And I am 72 yrs old!!

Thanks for giving me a few things to check.

Hello- New member here and new to owning a SXS.  I bought my dad a Kymco uxv450 about 5 weeks ago. first time I ever drove a Kymco. A 2015  used in a campground/ park  development. never been in woods. looks new. 1700 miles. they used it to plow their driveway.go to beach and ride around. On test ride with plow installed on dirt road. steering felt heavy with plow. Now that we had it 5 weeks, with no plow, the steering seems loose to me, it's like darts side to side. is that normal ? I just bought a 2021 UXV700 with eps. it steers like my car. it's precise.

[randyo]

I had a meandering issue a couple years ago...... worn ball joints,  however some tires are more prone to grabbing ruts and road anomolies, I've been running winter car/truck tires 205/70-15s on my 450i, off road, so far, they have taken me anywhere any off road tires have taken me, and on the road, it's like driving a car with a short wheelbase

[uxv450uxv700]

I had a meandering issue a couple years ago...... worn ball joints,  however some tires are more prone to grabbing ruts and road anomolies, I've been running winter car/truck tires 205/70-15s on my 450i, off road, so far, they have taken me anywhere any off road tires have taken me, and on the road, it's like driving a car with a short wheelbase

The tires are getting bald. will look into that too. thanks

[airshot]

The tires are getting bald. will look into that too. thanks

Once they get worn crooked they wont track straight for sure. I replaced mine in 2020 with SunF  AO33 tires, read lots of good things about them, highly rated, great price!!  They have been awesome, worked much better in snow than expected.. Nice ride on pavement.  Sizes run true, not slightly undersize like so many tires do.  They are not radials, stiff side walls , great for trail riding. Stiff sidewalls allow for continued riding if you get a puncture, of coursevyou need to go slow but wont leave you stranded in the middle of nowhere.   Give them a look before you decide on a set

[uxv450uxv700]

Once they get worn crooked they wont track straight for sure. I replaced mine in 2020 with SunF  AO33 tires, read lots of good things about them, highly rated, great price!!  They have been awesome, worked much better in snow than expected.. Nice ride on pavement.  Sizes run true, not slightly undersize like so many tires do.  They are not radials, stiff side walls , great for trail riding. Stiff sidewalls allow for continued riding if you get a puncture, of coursevyou need to go slow but wont leave you stranded in the middle of nowhere.   Give them a look before you decide on a set

            Thank you for suggestions.