Front end clunk....steering head bearings?
Front end clunk....steering head bearings?
I have a 2001 Deuce and when I hit a bump I get a clunk in the bars. I think it's the steering head that is loose. My service manual talks about checking fall away. Has anyone ever done this? I want to make sure I understand it before I attempt the repair. Thanks everyone.
Do a search for bulletin M1215. Get the new $6 hardened steel washer from the dealer, install. Just did this on mine a couple months back, huge difference. I think the new torque specs for that washer are 70-80 ft lbs, but your specific torque will be based on the fallaway, which is a pretty useless way to measure IMHO. I just went with 80 ft lbs, rode it, no binding in front end, clunk gone, left it at 80. Good luck!
*** EDIT: Sorry, the new torque spec is 70-80 ft lbs.
*** EDIT: Sorry, the new torque spec is 70-80 ft lbs.
Last edited by jreichart; Aug 19, 2011 at 12:32 PM. Reason: wrong torque
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 486
Likes: 41
From: north jersey
had that on my '02 fxst. i re-torqued the top nut to 72 ft./lbs. and it went away.
from what i read here on the forum when i searched , hd only torqued to 42 ft/lbs.originally. then revised it the the 72 ft.lbs..
as mentioned, you will need a new lock washer.
always a good idea to check the fall away too. if you were lazy on the greasing, might be agood idea to inspect the top bearing, as it would be the 1st one to go dry due to gravity.
from what i read here on the forum when i searched , hd only torqued to 42 ft/lbs.originally. then revised it the the 72 ft.lbs..
as mentioned, you will need a new lock washer.
always a good idea to check the fall away too. if you were lazy on the greasing, might be agood idea to inspect the top bearing, as it would be the 1st one to go dry due to gravity.
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From: Honah Lee
Mine clunks and it's not the bearings or fall away. I think the Deuce tends to make more of a clunk then most due to the rake geometry. It's in the forks, Mine make the most clunk on the extend travel. Especially slow speed(up to 40)over sharp bumps and dips. If you figure it out PM me. I have 40K and I guess I could have wear on the sleeves in the tubes but I can not fill it. I checked with wheel off but did not remove spring. Next time I replace fluid I am going to check for shake. Torque has noting to do with it. All you are doing is torquing the nut to the bearing adjuster. Guess you could tighten it to the point of increasing your last fall away check. Actual better way would be torque bearing adjuster but it's not set up to be able to do this nor do they may a tool to do it, therefore Harley came up with fall away method to insure it's not too tight. It's better off too loose as long as there is not shake in bearing rather then too tight. Harley models are not all the same. I believe you model is like mine. You have a top cone with wrench slots cut in that tightens down into the bearing. on top of that is a metal bent tab lock washer and then the nut that you torque. You need to replace bent tab washer ever time because it grooves and next time you try to torque the top nut it tends to gaul on the nut and turn with it shearing the tab that goes down into bottom cone nut.
Last edited by Jackie Paper; Aug 19, 2011 at 09:39 AM.
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Mine clunks and it's not the bearings or fall away. I think the Deuce tends to make more of a clunk then most due to the rake geometry. It's in the forks, Mine make the most clunk on the extend travel. Especially slow speed(up to 40)over sharp bumps and dips. If you figure it out PM me. I have 40K and I guess I could have wear on the sleeves in the tubes but I can not fill it. I checked with wheel off but did not remove spring. Next time I replace fluid I am going to check for shake. Torque has noting to do with it. All you are doing is torquing the nut to the bearing adjuster. Guess you could tighten it to the point of increasing your last fall away check. Actual better way would be torque bearing adjuster but it's not set up to be able to do this nor do they may a tool to do it, therefore Harley came up with fall away method to insure it's not too tight. It's better off too loose as long as there is not shake in bearing rather then too tight. Harley models are not all the same. I believe you model is like mine. You have a top cone with wrench slots cut in that tightens down into the bearing. on top of that is a metal bent tab lock washer and then the nut that you torque. You need to replace bent tab washer ever time because it grooves and next time you try to torque the top nut it tends to gaul on the nut and turn with it shearing the tab that goes down into bottom cone nut.
IIRC all of the "bent tab" sheet metal washers have been superceded by bulletin M1215 and the new hardened steel washer. That bent tab washer is the reason for the clunk on most, it's not stiff enough to maintain it's shape under stress. Check with your dealer, and have them pull up the bulletin and search your VIN. I think it's '06 and earlier softails.
Never mind the VIN search, I think it's just a year/model specific TSB.
Last edited by jreichart; Aug 19, 2011 at 10:01 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 38,597
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From: Honah Lee
IIRC all of the "bent tab" sheet metal washers have been superceded by bulletin M1215 and the new hardened steel washer. That bent tab washer is the reason for the clunk on most, it's not stiff enough to maintain it's shape under stress. Check with your dealer, and have them pull up the bulletin and search your VIN. I think it's '06 and earlier softails.
Last edited by Jackie Paper; Aug 19, 2011 at 10:06 AM.