steering head
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,143
Likes: 11,212
From: San Diego, CA
Have you done this before?
Do you have a service manual?
Have you done a fall away test to see if your neck bearings even need adjusting?
How long since they have been greased?
Have you checked to see if the neck bearings are worn & need replacing? Any "play" in the front end while on a lift?
At 58K it might be time to take the front end off and inspect the neck bearings..... then grease them by hand... what does the service schedule for your bike say?
I would do the proper checks before adjusting the steering head bearings. Too tight can cause as many problems as too loose...
Last edited by hattitude; May 18, 2018 at 09:47 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 38,528
Likes: 6,407
From: Honah Lee
96 Road King with 58000 miles-the steering head bearing adjuster is tightened down as far as it will go and there is no drag on bearings-thinking that adjustment might be needed since handling problem around truck turbulence has become an issue-wondering why there might be no adjustment left-instability seems to be in front endand have already replaced swingarm bushings
Seriously, the adjuster needs removed, drop the forks and replace the bearings and races. By a well-trained mechanic with a service manual for your 1996 with OEM parts.
There is a grease fitting but there is also actually a call out to examine them at like 30K if like mine. See your owners manual for yours.
They are actually tapered rollers that require little maintenance. However, I am sure that depends on what your roads look like that you ride on. Mine bearings looked like new at 30K. Once lightly greased and set properly to a fall away setting or if designed for access, a torque setting, they will last a long time.
PS..(some people set them way too tight..tapered rollers really do not need a preload like ball bearings and preload on tapered bearings with grease lubrication actually fail due to lubrication being pushed away)
Last edited by Jackie Paper; May 18, 2018 at 10:04 AM.
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Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 24
Likes: 1
From: nc
Thanks smat,nice to hear from someone that may know what im talking about.went ahead and took front end down and checked bearings,cleaned and repacked.did swing test and like you said,set it up on three swings.now just waiting on monsoon to pass and see the results.once again,thanks
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