Steering head bearing question

[Adshed]

Hey guys,

So my bike has this problem where the handlebars start shaking if i let go off them whenever im above 60km/h. The mechanic told me my steering head bearings are shot. So I'm going to have a crack at changing them myself.

I've done some research and the hardest part seeming to be removing and installing the lower bearing (on the actual steering stem). I haven't got a bearing press or anything, so do you guys have any tricks to remove and install the lower bearing with relatively simple/inexpensive tools?

Thanks

[bmf]

Hmm,  have you tested the bearings, you can normally feel free play when holding wheel (when in the air) and pulling backwards and forwards. Also how smooth is it when turning side to side.  These bearings do not work hatd so they eventually go bad by getting grooves in the straight ahead position. By all means check them and regrease them (mine were a bit dry after 20 years 40k km ) but still in good shape, there were no grooves that one could feel or see on the races.
Note- beware or mechanics opinion, can be good, can be rubbish. Did he test free play etc before pronouncing?

What year? How many kms? Might be wheel bearings, damaged tyre/rim . Etc.

To specifically answer your question I  think it's tough to get the bearing races out, but I never tried. Someone else will chime in to confirm.

Do not over tighten the string stem nut when reassembling.

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[sledge]

You hold the stem in a vice, cut or lever the cage and rollers off and get someone to play heat on the race from a blow torch. As it get hot it expands and you can then carefully knock the race off the journal with a blunt cold chisel without damaging the shoulder the race sits against or the journal it sits on. Or if you are not concerned about `collateral` damage cut through it with a grinder/dremel.

To refit you can smack it back on cold with a suitable piece of tube, or you can heat it to about 120Deg by baking it in an oven or placing it in a pan of boiling oil. then quickly dropping it into position over the stem before it cools.

Or......you can to take it to a shop that has the correct gear and get them to do it,..................for you with no gear and limited know-how this is probably the best option 

[Slack]

If I recall correctly Patrick would find nearly new used triple trees on ebay for pretty cheap and just swap the whole thing out instead of putzing with the bearings.  Maybe do some searches with his SN and see if you can come up with any old words of wisdom.

[Adshed]

Note- beware or mechanics opinion, can be good, can be rubbish. Did he test free play etc before pronouncing?

What year? How many kms? Might be wheel bearings, damaged tyre/rim . Etc.

Can't say for sure how to claim it was the brngs, but all I know is that I wasn't going to pay 300+ in labor charges he quoted.
It's an 09 F model with 21K kms, I bought it when it was at 16K and I'm pretty sure the previous owner did not garage it. . Is there any way to check if any of the other things are faulty before biting the bullet and actually replacing them? Sorry I'm still very new to this 

To refit you can smack it back on cold with a suitable piece of tube, or you can heat it to about 120Deg by baking it in an oven or placing it in a pan of boiling oil.

From what I've researched, you pack the bearing before you put it onto the stem. So...is it ok if you chuck it in the oven after you pack it? Or do you pack it after getting it on using the method above?

Or......you can to take it to a shop that has the correct gear and get them to do it,..................for you with no gear and limited know-how this is probably the best option 

For me, this is probably the most sensible advice someone can tell me, but as much as I want to get the bearing on snug, the end goal for me is to learn how to do all this myself. Of course, if it is extremely difficult and/or risky with the tools I have, I won't think twice about taking it to the shop .

If I recall correctly Patrick would find nearly new used triple trees on ebay for pretty cheap and just swap the whole thing out instead of putzing with the bearings.  Maybe do some searches with his SN and see if you can come up with any old words of wisdom.

You're right! I just had a look and a lot of them are actually cheaper than new bearings lol. Unfortunately there are none in Australia, and it costs a gazillion dollars to get it shipped down under.