steering head bearings
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Novice
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 24
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From: nc
steering head bearings
Hello forum,
Over the past while I had began to notice that my 96 RK had started to get a little unstable while passing trucks and on some patchy roads.I had replaced tires a little while before noticing this.I just replaced swingarm bushings thinking this might have been the problem but still shaky.I had heard a lot of discussions about steering head bearings needing adjustment and since I am approaching 60000 I thought I would check it out.I found that the adjusting nut is completely tightened down as far as it will go and the forks turn freely and I feel like there is still play in the triple tree.The fact that there is no adjustment at all concerns me.Anybody got any opinions or insights on this?Any help will be appreciated.
Thanks
Over the past while I had began to notice that my 96 RK had started to get a little unstable while passing trucks and on some patchy roads.I had replaced tires a little while before noticing this.I just replaced swingarm bushings thinking this might have been the problem but still shaky.I had heard a lot of discussions about steering head bearings needing adjustment and since I am approaching 60000 I thought I would check it out.I found that the adjusting nut is completely tightened down as far as it will go and the forks turn freely and I feel like there is still play in the triple tree.The fact that there is no adjustment at all concerns me.Anybody got any opinions or insights on this?Any help will be appreciated.
Thanks
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,216
Likes: 102
From: Central Illinois
Make sure you follow the procedures in the manual to do the adjustment. You will not be able to turn the adjuster without loosening the tube pinch bolts and top tree center nut. Also Snap On sells the proper tool to turn the adjuster which is lots easier.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 4,459
Likes: 2,897
From: Oklahoma
Can not believe you have run out of threads on the center post UNLESS a bearing has disintegrated. Time for a disassembly and inspection of the center post, bearings, and bearing races. Replace parts as necessary. Have you ever greased the steering head? I grease mine on every oil change and fall away has remained unchanged since the 5000 mile adjustment, now above 90,000 miles.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 4,459
Likes: 2,897
From: Oklahoma
Can not believe you have run out of threads on the center post UNLESS a bearing has disintegrated. Time for a disassembly and inspection of the center post, bearings, and bearing races. Replace parts as necessary. Have you ever greased the steering head? I grease mine on every oil change and fall away has remained unchanged since the 5000 mile adjustment, now above 90,000 miles.
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Novice
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 24
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From: nc
Thanks btsom,
Tend to agree that something must be wrong even though the forks still move freely,but yes i have greased the bearings.don't know just yet but it almost looks like too much space at bottom of neck to lower tree.guess just gonna have to see.
Tend to agree that something must be wrong even though the forks still move freely,but yes i have greased the bearings.don't know just yet but it almost looks like too much space at bottom of neck to lower tree.guess just gonna have to see.
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