Steering Stem Adjustment - Stem Nut Alters Setting
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 381
Likes: 122
From: Halifax, Nova Scotia
Steering Stem Adjustment - Stem Nut Alters Setting
I put new steering stem bearings in as part of redoing the front-end, adjusted them, and they were fine for a while. They have definitely come loose now. I've got the H-D instructions, have looked up several threads and videos, but I can't find the answer to the following two problems.
- When I follow the HD instructions (loosen stem nut all the way, loose lower pinch bolts, set adjuster nut, tighten and torque stem nut, tighten and toque lower pinch) I can never get it set properly. If I get it set up where I want it per their instructions, I can get it set to where it feels just right (to me). Then I go and torque the stem nut and it adds load to the adjuster (I think) and now my setting is off because it's way too tight and the bearings drag now. What I had done last time was try to account for this and land where I wanted to land after the stem nut was torqued. Is this what everyone does? I haven't seen anyone else mention this and it's do-able but very tedious.
- The brake MC seems to throw off the 'fall away' procedure by unbalancing the bars. I've just been ignoring this for now until I learn otherwise.
Thanks
- When I follow the HD instructions (loosen stem nut all the way, loose lower pinch bolts, set adjuster nut, tighten and torque stem nut, tighten and toque lower pinch) I can never get it set properly. If I get it set up where I want it per their instructions, I can get it set to where it feels just right (to me). Then I go and torque the stem nut and it adds load to the adjuster (I think) and now my setting is off because it's way too tight and the bearings drag now. What I had done last time was try to account for this and land where I wanted to land after the stem nut was torqued. Is this what everyone does? I haven't seen anyone else mention this and it's do-able but very tedious.
- The brake MC seems to throw off the 'fall away' procedure by unbalancing the bars. I've just been ignoring this for now until I learn otherwise.
Thanks
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 381
Likes: 122
From: Halifax, Nova Scotia
The only thing I've been able to find so far is that the H-D manual says to 'loosen' the stem nut. Maybe they mean to just crack and not actually move it up off the washer like I'm doing. I'll give that a go tomorrow.
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 712
Likes: 235
From: Florida
Loosen the stem nut enough so you can turn the adjuster nut. The adjuster nut is real sensitive. Moving it just a couple of flats makes a big difference. I suspect that is your problem. You are over compensating when moving the adjuster nut.
The stem nut should be tight when checking fall away.
'
Anytime I replace the stem bearings things will loosen up after being ridden a short while. You have to go back in and readjust the fall away after a few hundred miles.
The stem nut should be tight when checking fall away.
'
Anytime I replace the stem bearings things will loosen up after being ridden a short while. You have to go back in and readjust the fall away after a few hundred miles.
Last edited by Rustyg500; Sep 14, 2018 at 07:31 PM.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,246
Likes: 251
From: Belle River Ontario
The manual is confusing and troublesome in its application....it’s far simpler to just tighten the adjuster nut until snug, then torque the top nut, making sure it’s not binding but tight enough so there is no play.
there was a good thread on this about a month ago....
there was a good thread on this about a month ago....
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
