concern on new neck bearings

[pete]

The Vaq's stripped and getting a good going over at the moment.
Replaced the stock steering bearings with All Balls bearings ( stock looked good with plenty of grease but went ahead anyway). I have done this before on my ol' Nomad 1600 so am familiar with procedure.
The strange thing is, after doing the initial torque down (55Nm) to bed everything in, retorquing to 29Nm gives a notchy feel(roller bearings feels like) all across the whole rotation of the triple tree ? However placing forks back in the tree makes the notchy feel go away with ease of rotation.
Races were checked twice and plenty grease splashed around.
Not sure to replace bearings or just go with it ?

Thoughts ?
Cheers, Pete.

[redjay]

Allballs steering neck bearings are tapered roller bearings, correct ?

I cant think why the notchiness would go away when you put the fork tubes back in the triple clamps unless the fork tubes are somehow aligning the bearings a little better.

Were the bearings notchy at 55nm (40ft lbs) ?

Is there a possibility that you torqued to 55 ft lbs (75nm) ?

[mbarr10]

I cant think why the notchiness would go away when you put the fork tubes back in the triple clamps unless the fork tubes are somehow aligning the bearings a little better.

And Maybe the weight of the forks?? Pulls them in to place?

[pete]

redjay, correct with tapered roller bearings.
Overtorquing with wrong setting was my 1st thought too but I usually double check....depending on beers drank :) It was notchy at 55Nm from memory but expected.

mbarr10, yeh you might be right with the weight pulling into alignment but have not read this elsewhere with anyone else.

Well at the mo, both forks in, stem nut rechecked at 29NM and still feels smooth in rotation.
I guess the proof will be once I get it on the road.
Cheers, Pete.

[Ace]

I have had this same thing happen but on a different bike (Yamaha Royal Star Venture)

I had installed new steering head bearings and did it exactly like the service manual stated. It had that notchy feeling when all the weight was off the front but mostly went away once forks, wheel, etc was back on the bike.


I landed up having to pull and replace the bearings again as I could not hold a straight line on any road surface. The bearing races were dimpled (for lack of a better term) all around the races, the roller would catch in these dimples when trying to make steering adjustments causing very erratic steering.

Place I had bought them from replaced at no charge due to a substandard product. Once I read more on the forums I came to find the really knowledgeable guys stated the procedure to check the bearings was to remove all the weight from the front (wheel, forks) to check for that notchy feel. I have been doing this now for the last 13 years.


Just my 2 cents but if it were me I would at least inspect those bearings, I'd bet you can see where each roller has dented the race.

[vulcanscott]

I am thinking 1 of the races did not set straight . Maybe a burr or piece of grit behind it . and like Ace said maybe just got a bad one !

[pete]

When it hits the road, the steerability (is that a word ?) will be the 1st thing tested for sure.
If no good I reckon might be down to overtorqued initially and wouldn't be surprised to see those race dimples.

Ace, the races were checked twice and looked good mate.
Always use All Balls gear....hope I didn't get a bad one
Coupla weeks yet b4 road time anyways :)
Cheers, Pete.

[pete]

Bearings are all good.
No notchiness, turns in smooth. Even when front wheel off of the ground.
After roughly 1000 km's I have to conclude that....well not sure but everything's fine haha
Pete.
(still weird thou)