Nozzle bushing question....

[Sabu1984]

Put a new steering nozzle on my SLX today...I noticed something... see if you guys can help me out with....

When I took the old broken nozzle off, the round plastc bushing (top and bottom) were both facing outward, meaning, that flat side was AWAY from the nozzle itself, if that makes sense. WHen i put the new nozzle back on, the same way, the steering was VERY tight and just seemed way wrong. The old one was tightend down all the way, but still turned freely. According to my manual, at least by the diagram, the bushing are facing the right direction, but when I flipped them over, (flat side TOWARD the nozzle, it seemed to steer better, and seemed to make more sense being there a rounded notch on the nozzles that seem to fit the bushings perfectly.

Anybody else encountered this issue? I did change and put new bolts on the actual steering nozzle, but dont see how that would affect anything.... I just wanna make sure there correct, I dont want any premature wear on these bushing, im sure there a pain to find new ones..... Thanks!

[xlint89]

Flat part sits against the venturi.

[beerdart]

The larger diameter of the bushing should rest on the pump nozzle.

[ph2ocraft]

Did you put the bushing in the sleeves?
Here's a photo, what numbers are we talking about 6 and7?

[Sabu1984]

ok, just to make sense to me the way the manuals picture shows it, and the owner before me had it that way too..... Oh well, good now... thanks guys..

[K447]

...the steering was VERY tight and just seemed way wrong. The old one was tightened down all the way, but still turned freely...

Are you sure nothing is bent or misaligned with the new nozzle?

The steering really shouldn't be 'tight'. A little friction perhaps, but not so stiff that it requires force to move the steering left and right (out of the water).