Steering head asjustment
Thread Starter
|
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,907
Likes: 3
Steering head asjustment
Hey guys question,
I have a 08 Electra Glide Ultra Classic with 43k miles on her. I noticed the handling getting a little sloppy in the corners. I checked the manual and did the steering head test. The bars stop on the fourth pass. According to the manual, as long as it stops on the third of fourth swing, all we well. However, going along at freeway speeds, cornering I feel a little wobble. as if the front end is loose. I have checked everything I can think of. I thought about tightening up the front end a ź turn to see if that makes a difference. But if that would but too much pressure on the front end bearing, I was worried about that. Any suggestions?
I have a 08 Electra Glide Ultra Classic with 43k miles on her. I noticed the handling getting a little sloppy in the corners. I checked the manual and did the steering head test. The bars stop on the fourth pass. According to the manual, as long as it stops on the third of fourth swing, all we well. However, going along at freeway speeds, cornering I feel a little wobble. as if the front end is loose. I have checked everything I can think of. I thought about tightening up the front end a ź turn to see if that makes a difference. But if that would but too much pressure on the front end bearing, I was worried about that. Any suggestions?
Road Master
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,196
Likes: 14
From: connecticut
Hey guys question,
I have a 08 Electra Glide Ultra Classic with 43k miles on her. I noticed the handling getting a little sloppy in the corners. I checked the manual and did the steering head test. The bars stop on the fourth pass. According to the manual, as long as it stops on the third of fourth swing, all we well. However, going along at freeway speeds, cornering I feel a little wobble. as if the front end is loose. I have checked everything I can think of. I thought about tightening up the front end a ź turn to see if that makes a difference. But if that would but too much pressure on the front end bearing, I was worried about that. Any suggestions?
I have a 08 Electra Glide Ultra Classic with 43k miles on her. I noticed the handling getting a little sloppy in the corners. I checked the manual and did the steering head test. The bars stop on the fourth pass. According to the manual, as long as it stops on the third of fourth swing, all we well. However, going along at freeway speeds, cornering I feel a little wobble. as if the front end is loose. I have checked everything I can think of. I thought about tightening up the front end a ź turn to see if that makes a difference. But if that would but too much pressure on the front end bearing, I was worried about that. Any suggestions?
I would also check your swing arm bushings they probally need to be replaced at that milage.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 17,547
Likes: 7,153
From: Oxford, Nc
I checked my fall a way last week and was surprised to find that it still stops on the second sweep at 90,000 miles. If it didn't, I intended to snug up the bearings about a 1/4 turn too. I don't think that would be too much pressure at all.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,951
Likes: 6
From: Kingman, AZ
In the 07 Touring manual it says the the bars need to "make a move on the 3rd swing but need not reach center." A 4th swing is incorrect. The 08 manual however does say a 4th move, even a full 4th swing, is OK. I am 99.9% sure the 07 and 08 have the same frame, bearings, etc in the neck but apparently the spec's loosened up?
I would tighten that up so it goes no further then the 3rd move.
I would tighten that up so it goes no further then the 3rd move.
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 723
Likes: 62
From: Cape Cod, Ma.
I've been told two different things about how to perform the test. Do you need to remove all the cables etc... to get a true reading? It would seemthat the clutch, throtle, brake lines etc... would create interference and corrupt the test. Any thoughts?
Neil
RDMC
Neil
RDMC
Trending Topics
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,216
Likes: 102
From: Central Illinois
You are correct, at the least the clutch cable needs to be disconnected to get it closer to accurate.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,916
Likes: 31
From: earth
I think there is a service bulletin that changes the spec to fewer than the 3-4 swings in the manual. I set mine up to only change directions once on the fall away, workin good for over 10k.
Thread Starter
|
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,907
Likes: 3
Thanks for the input. im thinking im going to tighten them up a 1/4 turn and see what happens. also about the swing arm, how would i go about checking them to see if they needed changing out.