30K Service, Steering Head Bearings
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Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2007
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30K Service, Steering Head Bearings
I have the 30K service coming up and had a question about the steering head bearing service. The manual shoes under the service chapter the disassemble and lubricate the steering head bearing. When reviewing the steering head bearing section of the manual it states that as soon as you remove the dust cover you must replace the bearing. Which is it? Grease it or replace?
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 141
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RE: 30K Service, Steering Head Bearings
I always grease them rather than replace them. They are standard issue Timken tapered roller bearings. Just clean, pack and replace. The only kicker is that the lower bearing is pressed on the shaft. You cannot really clean and pack it without pressing it off. If you go to the trouble of pressing it off, then just pop the $15 for a new bearing and race (my opinion). I just do my best to shove some grease inbetween the race and retainer with the bearing in-place. If you keep them reasonably lubed and adjusted, then they will last the life of the bike. Heck, the exact same bearing will last 150000+ miles on the front hub of an automobile where it's subject to a much tougher life than in the steering head of a Harley.
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 141
Likes: 3
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RE: 30K Service, Steering Head Bearings
I just guestimated the price. My point was that the bearings are relatively cheap, but it's really a mootpoint unless the bearings have been subjected to hardlabor on the seashore.
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