Loose steeringstem bearings

[FryeVRCCDS0067]

I’ve had a front end noise for the past several weeks when hitting the sharp edged expansion bumps in the road I ride home on.  I was starting to wonder if I had left my fork caps disconnected from the threaded rods the last time I had it apart as I read of someone else doing. Riding home yesterday, I shoved my hand down against the frame next to the steering stem so I could feel if there was play in the bearings as I hit those bumps. There was!!!

I installed “All Balls” steering stem bearings 26,000 miles ago in 2010. I followed the directions and all was good till recently when the sound started. In the past few weeks I’d also noticed the bike wanting to follow pavement irregularities more too. I’d assumed it was low morning air pressure because of the cold.

I tore it down last night to check it out. The bearing tension nut wasn’t even finger tight. The locking washer was in good shape and had both nuts locked in position. But, that position was way loose. I torqued the bearing tensioner nuts to 12LBS instead of 9lbs as I did last time.

The bearings have been great for the past 26,000 miles with the exception of the last 500 miles or so. All I  can figure is I didn’t have the bottom bearing race seated all the way and one of these cursed bumps finished the seating job for me after 26,000 miles and two years. Feels great now, so I don’t think it hurt anything. But I wanted to give other members a heads up in case it happens to them.

[Ricky-D]

Indexed steering bearings are a very rare occurrence and should be the only reason to change out the bearings.

The steering head bearings are not a normally serviced item that require attention.

Looseness after a time from replacement of the steering head bearings is not unexpected.

There is a possibility that the bearing races could become indexed from a too loose condition. Reason being they are constantly subjected to a hammering between the ball bearings and the race when they should only be rolling against each other.

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[fudgie]

Yup. I replaced mine and a yr later had the front wheel off and bars were loose. Tightened them down and all was good. With the front wheel on the bars did not move cause of the added weight.

[FryeVRCCDS0067]

Yup. I replaced mine and a yr later had the front wheel off and bars were loose. Tightened them down and all was good. With the front wheel on the bars did not move cause of the added weight.

Ah, good to know it wasn't just me.