Loose Steering Head Bolt
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Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 158
Likes: 0
From: Southern Ohio
Loose Steering Head Bolt
Had some wobble in my front end recently. Took the time today to check the steering head bolt. It was, in my opinion, pretty loose. I had to give it several cranks on the ratchet to get it tight. My torque wrench has vanished, so I just tightened it as tight as I could get it. Also put the grease gun to it. Used about a 1/4 of a tube. I won't have a chance until Saturday to see if this takes care of the wobble. Anyone have this experience with their head bolt being loose?
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,784
Likes: 10
From: Chicagoland
Mine started to loosen on a 1400 mile trip and I had a bad front end clunk by the time I was back home. Checked the fall-away and tightened the bolt accordingly. I also re-greased and have no problems since.
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 301
Likes: 7
From: NORTH CAROLINA
had some wobble in my front end recently. Took the time today to check the steering head bolt. It was, in my opinion, pretty loose. I had to give it several cranks on the ratchet to get it tight. My torque wrench has vanished, so i just tightened it as tight as i could get it. Also put the grease gun to it. Used about a 1/4 of a tube. I won't have a chance until saturday to see if this takes care of the wobble. Anyone have this experience with their head bolt being loose?
Last edited by WFA; Aug 27, 2009 at 06:17 PM.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,864
Likes: 7
From: kansas city,mo
Yes, i had the same problem with my bike. I felt it bad when i changes out my bars from knuckles to beach bars. 65+ mph it was a nightmare. First dealer i brought it to told me it was because of a 21" wheel up front and i even told them i felt it with my stock set-up. I asked them to check my head bearings and they (Blue Springs HD in Kansas City) told me it was loose but WITH-IN specs. What a joke!!!! ....So i then took my bike over to Gail's HD and they tightened it right up. Bike rides like nite and day now. I do feel a slight minor wobble occasionally at high speeds(70+mph) and on grooved roads, but nothing like before.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,395
Likes: 153
From: Utah
A friend of mine has an anniversary Heritage Classic. It has been maintained by the dealership. Recently, he rode in Rolling Thunder. Upon returning home he was riding to the local state HOG rally to take care of his volunteer duties and the front of his bike collapsed. The pinch bolt on one fork had broken in half. His steering head nut had either completely loosened or had fallen out (I don't remember which). Be forewarned.
C#
C#
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,052
Likes: 12
I have used the fall-away method for adjusting the steering head with good results. I would think that like wheel bearings on a spindle, if you tighten them too tight they will still turn, but they would wear VERY quickly.
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Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 158
Likes: 0
From: Southern Ohio
I totally understand what you are saying, and I did read the manual. While I did not torque it down, I did tighten the steering head bolt snugly. I can't imagine it being safe and being that loose. And while it gives no specific instructions on how tight in should be in the manual, many of the posts I read suggested torquing it down.
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 301
Likes: 7
From: NORTH CAROLINA
i totally understand what you are saying, and i did read the manual. While i did not torque it down, i did tighten the steering head bolt snugly. I can't imagine it being safe and being that loose. And while it gives no specific instructions on how tight in should be in the manual, many of the posts i read suggested torquing it down.
Last edited by WFA; Aug 29, 2009 at 01:54 PM.