Steering Bearing Replacement

[sonny]

Thought I'd leave some tool feedback...

Motion Pro Steering Bearing Tool - Awesome, works perfectly as advertised, made lower bearing removal and installation a breeze.

Park Bearing Race Remover - Awesome, tap tap tap done.

The Steering Race Press - Don't but it if you're going to be doing only the Rocket. The way the bike is built you'd have to remove the tank and radiator to get the turning handle to fit. Just get a collet and rod so you can gently hammer them in.

All told, 1 hour job, fully disassembled and reassembled. My bearings were not marked or scored in anyway but I can definitely feel the difference between old and new, no more knocking in the head when wiggling the forks with the front wheel in the air Old bearings still had plenty of clean grease in them, just dead, no explanation as to why.

How many miles on the bike? Have adjusted headstock twice and all is well after 27,000 miles. Just curious. I do know from past experience that bearings can get worn out prematurely by lack of adjustment or being too tight. Motion pro makes some good tools. Just find it odd that bearing would be worn out.

 

[Claviger]

Was loose on delivery, adjusted at ~250 miles on odo.

Adjusted again every 2000 miles or so there after, as it kept working loose.

Final adjustment about two weeks ago at 8200 miles was used all the adjustment range in the system and a week later was loose again.

Bike has about 8600 on it now (living in Hawaii you don't put on many miles). This time I set it loose, lowered bike, preloaded then backed off the bottom until it was just snug, and put on lock nut. Lifted and checked for wiggle by shaking forks from bottom, no wiggle, should be good.

No shakes or wobbles at 155mph, so it's at least good for now

 

[Kevin frazier]

Thought I'd leave some tool feedback...

Motion Pro Steering Bearing Tool - Awesome, works perfectly as advertised, made lower bearing removal and installation a breeze.

Park Bearing Race Remover - Awesome, tap tap tap done.

The Steering Race Press - Don't buy it if you're going to be doing only the Rocket. The way the bike is built you'd have to remove the tank and radiator to get the turning handle to fit. Just get a collet and rod so you can gently hammer them in.

All told, 1 hour job, fully disassembled and reassembled. My bearings were not marked or scored in anyway but I can definitely feel the difference between old and new, no more knocking in the head when wiggling the forks with the front wheel in the air Old bearings still had plenty of clean grease in them, just dead, no explanation as to why.

What grease did you end up using ?

 

[1K9]

Was loose on delivery, adjusted at ~250 miles on odo.

Adjusted again every 2000 miles or so there after, as it kept working loose.

Final adjustment about two weeks ago at 8200 miles was used all the adjustment range in the system and a week later was loose again.

Bike has about 8600 on it now (living in Hawaii you don't put on many miles). This time I set it loose, lowered bike, preloaded then backed off the bottom until it was just snug, and put on lock nut. Lifted and checked for wiggle by shaking forks from bottom, no wiggle, should be good.

No shakes or wobbles at 155mph, so it's at least good for now

Claviger; mine were just changed. Should I go to my tech for a recheck after 1 or 2K miles even if the feel good to me?

 

[1olbull]

My Bearings should get here tomorrow, they desperately need to be replaced, with the adjuster nut fully tightened down there is still a small clunk when wobbling the forks with the front tire up in the air. She's also developed a wobble over 100 mph, a slow oscillating back and forth wobble.

See as I don't own a press I plan on buying these tools:

Park Tool USA Steering Race Remover | Dirt Bike | Rocky Mountain ATV/MC

Park Tool USA Steering Race Remover | Dirt Bike | Rocky Mountain ATV/MC

Motion Pro Steering Stem Bearing Tool | ATV | Rocky Mountain ATV/MC

And some of this to pack the new bearings with:

Bel-Ray Water Proof Grease | ATV | Rocky Mountain ATV/MC

Am I forgetting anything?!

My press is out at Dan's.
You're welcome to use it if yoy wish.
Not to far from you in McKena.

 

[Claviger]

That was an old post. I've since bought the stuff requires, but thanks.

 

[Claviger]

Claviger; mine were just changed. Should I go to my tech for a recheck after 1 or 2K miles even if the feel good to me?

If you don't notice any abnormal behavior it's not really necessary if they were installed correctly, but never a bad idea now that the grease has shifted.

 

[Claviger]

What grease did you end up using ?

Blue Belray marine grease.

 

[1K9]

If you don't notice any abnormal behavior it's not really necessary if they were installed correctly, but never a bad idea now that the grease has shifted.

Thank you for that. Ill have one of the visiting experts check them in Leakey. While at it, I might attempt a sump pan gasket change while Sonny drinks beer and tells me what to do. I travel with all some tools.

 

[FE_rex]

For grease, I've had good luck with Lucas Red "N" Tacky on my Road King and V-rod. Lubed up neck bearings during install, filled up neck via factory zerk fitting on Road king, just packed it in on Vrod. No drip, leaks etc even in Houston