Steering head bearing replacement: Difference between revisions
No edit summary |
No edit summary |
||
| Line 10: | Line 10: | ||
If your races are looking like this, or the ball bearings are falling apart, then it definitely is time for a new set of bearings. | If your races are looking like this, or the ball bearings are falling apart, then it definitely is time for a new set of bearings. | ||
[[image: | [[image:IMG_5698.jpg|150px]] | ||
You could go the OEM way, but for less money you can have a set of sealed tapered roller bearings from All Balls. These [[A brief guide to bearings|sealed bearings]] will last longer and require less maintenance. They will raise your bars 1/8-1/4", which is irrelevant for most folks. | You could go the OEM way, but for less money you can have a set of sealed tapered roller bearings from All Balls. These [[A brief guide to bearings|sealed bearings]] will last longer and require less maintenance. They will raise your bars 1/8-1/4", which is irrelevant for most folks. | ||
| Line 64: | Line 64: | ||
Using a bearing puller, a piece of PVC pipe in the correct size, or a simple punch, knock out the races that are stuck in the frame. Don't worry about damaging the races; they're going to be replaced. Clean the places that hold the races on the frame with a rag, getting out all the dirt and grime. | Using a bearing puller, a piece of PVC pipe in the correct size, or a simple punch, knock out the races that are stuck in the frame. Don't worry about damaging the races; they're going to be replaced. Clean the places that hold the races on the frame with a rag, getting out all the dirt and grime. | ||
^^^ IanJ - using a piece of steel rod to push out the lower race. Just sit it against the race in a different place for each whack of the hammer. Worked a treat. | |||
| Line 89: | Line 88: | ||
Be very careful to hit only the outside of the race. This one is being used. If you so much as lightly tap the punch on the inside of the race, it could ruin it. Install it in the bottom section of the frame. Tap it in at first with a hammer. Get a good view of it to make sure it's flat. | Be very careful to hit only the outside of the race. This one is being used. If you so much as lightly tap the punch on the inside of the race, it could ruin it. Install it in the bottom section of the frame. Tap it in at first with a hammer. Get a good view of it to make sure it's flat. | ||
| Line 124: | Line 124: | ||
First, slide the larger seal (#33-1006) down, with the metal side facing downwards. Now slide the bearing down the tube, with the smaller outside diameter on the up side, and give it a solid push down with your hands so it doesn't move around in the next steps. Take a suitably close diameter piece of PVC tubing and the old bottom race flipped upside down to give the tubing more lip to bite onto. Be careful when you apply pressure. Do so slowly, and be ready for loud "pop" sounds as it goes on. Release the pressure once or twice to visually inspect for crookedness and make sure it's seating properly. | First, slide the larger seal (#33-1006) down, with the metal side facing downwards. Now slide the bearing down the tube, with the smaller outside diameter on the up side, and give it a solid push down with your hands so it doesn't move around in the next steps. Take a suitably close diameter piece of PVC tubing and the old bottom race flipped upside down to give the tubing more lip to bite onto. Be careful when you apply pressure. Do so slowly, and be ready for loud "pop" sounds as it goes on. Release the pressure once or twice to visually inspect for crookedness and make sure it's seating properly. | ||
Lube everything up liberally, making sure you work the grease into the bearings well. Spin them several times and then re-apply to ensure it's getting deep into them. Put an extra bead just above the bottom bearing, as it will get forced down into the bearing when you install the forks and the bearings seat the grease in properly. Do the same for the races. | Lube everything up liberally, making sure you work the grease into the bearings well. Spin them several times and then re-apply to ensure it's getting deep into them. Put an extra bead just above the bottom bearing, as it will get forced down into the bearing when you install the forks and the bearings seat the grease in properly. Do the same for the races. | ||
Slide the triple tree up into the frame. Take the smaller bearing (#99-3504) that you already worked grease into and slide it, small outer diameter side down, onto the tree. You will note this seems to stick up a bit - it does - and your bars will be a bit higher than before. Take the smaller seal (#33-1005-1) and place it, metal side up, onto the bearing. It should almost 'click' on, and on top of this you will place the dust cover and then the stem nut. | Slide the triple tree up into the frame. Take the smaller bearing (#99-3504) that you already worked grease into and slide it, small outer diameter side down, onto the tree. You will note this seems to stick up a bit - it does - and your bars will be a bit higher than before. Take the smaller seal (#33-1005-1) and place it, metal side up, onto the bearing. It should almost 'click' on, and on top of this you will place the dust cover and then the stem nut. | ||
Tighten the stem nut up VERY tight, as hard as you think you can and still get it off. You are trying to seat the bearings, and you want maximum compression on all the bearings. Loosen it off until you can turn the triple tree freely. | Tighten the stem nut up VERY tight, as hard as you think you can and still get it off. You are trying to seat the bearings, and you want maximum compression on all the bearings. Loosen it off until you can turn the triple tree freely. | ||
'''<<<How to find the correct tightness for the stem nut?>>>''' | '''<<<How to find the correct tightness for the stem nut?>>>''' | ||
find the correct tightness so that '''>>>they>>> (huh?)''' just barely turn with no friction, remembering that they will tighten up a bit when you put the stem lock nut on. | find the correct tightness so that '''>>>they>>> (huh?)''' just barely turn with no friction, remembering that they will tighten up a bit when you put the stem lock nut on. | ||
| Line 159: | Line 151: | ||
------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------- | ||
| Line 164: | Line 159: | ||
'''<<<stem bolt and play with the stem nut<<< (Is there a wrong word here? Like maybe 'bolt'?)>>>''' | |||
'''<<<stem | until it feels as if there is no friction or notches, and then replace the '''<<<stem>>>''' bolt. | ||
-------------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------- | ||
| Line 171: | Line 167: | ||
Go for a very quick test ride, come back to tighten everything again. | Go for a very quick test ride, come back to tighten everything again. | ||