Steering Head Bearings - Racing Crack - Pictures

dabull · 06-13-2010, 06:57 PM

Ok...so a while back i noticed my steering wasn't quite right...felt odd...then on a 90 wide turn 30 mph under throttle the bike didn't feel like it was going to come out of the turn...somehow got the bike back up out of the turn and took it to the mechanics....after cleaning out my britches that is...turns out the steering head bearing, racing was cracked as you can see in the pics....All better now (Alsballs bearings and $260) fixed her right up....

**ringadingh** · 06-13-2010, 08:23 PM

Thats quite a messy bearing race you had. Looks kinda rusty in there also.It unusual that it would crack, I figure the bearings were loose and the race got pounded on over time until it cracked.

redjay · 06-13-2010, 08:27 PM

Hi,
It looks like those bearings were never greased since the bike was assembled. I cant think why the bearing outer race cracked, no reason for that to happen that I can think of. I have seen a inner race disintegrate on a car. I just got done adjusting the steering head bearings on my 05.

AlabamaNomadRider · 06-14-2010, 09:07 AM

Glad you discovered the problem and got it fixed. Could have caused a terrible situation. Money well spent.

macmac · 06-14-2010, 11:18 AM

OMG! Must be a roller, or what is left of one either chipped the cage or another roller and over expanded the race. Not good, and this steering head must have been real gritty for a long time.

This is why I stress 'Thar's no dammned grease in there! so much.

There is a bearing like part called a sprague, which allows motion in one direction and none in the other. If you go making bearings work like that, you will only ride in circles

Nice pics.

redjay · 06-14-2010, 03:46 PM

I wonder if the mechanic cracked it taking it out ?

hammer · 06-15-2010, 12:51 AM

Quote:

I wonder if the mechanic cracked it taking it out ?

I was thinking the same thing. I have never seen one cracked before now and don't recall bearings that bad on a bike before either.

dogdoc · 06-15-2010, 12:36 PM

Dabull glad you got her fixed. hey did you ever find that vibration problem that you couldnt pin point a few months back?

dabull · 06-15-2010, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doc (Lonewolf)

Dabull glad you got her fixed. hey did you ever find that vibration problem that you couldnt pin point a few months back?

negative....still getting a little vibe/buzzin under left foot....nothing serious....

with the new bearings, the Wobble is gone too.....

06-13-2010, 06:57 PM	#1
dabull Sr. Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Crestview, FL Posts: 2,409	Steering Head Bearings - Racing Crack - Pictures Ok...so a while back i noticed my steering wasn't quite right...felt odd...then on a 90 wide turn 30 mph under throttle the bike didn't feel like it was going to come out of the turn...somehow got the bike back up out of the turn and took it to the mechanics....after cleaning out my britches that is...turns out the steering head bearing, racing was cracked as you can see in the pics....All better now (Alsballs bearings and $260) fixed her right up.... Login or Register to Remove Ads
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06-13-2010, 08:23 PM	#2
ringadingh Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Newmarket Ontario Canada Posts: 35,387	Steering Head Bearings - Racing Crack - Pictures Thats quite a messy bearing race you had. Looks kinda rusty in there also.It unusual that it would crack, I figure the bearings were loose and the race got pounded on over time until it cracked. __________________ 2002 Nomad aka Bountyhunter VBA #27 VROC #18951
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06-13-2010, 08:27 PM	#3
redjay Top Contributor Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ontario Posts: 7,017	Steering Head Bearings - Racing Crack - Pictures Hi, It looks like those bearings were never greased since the bike was assembled. I cant think why the bearing outer race cracked, no reason for that to happen that I can think of. I have seen a inner race disintegrate on a car. I just got done adjusting the steering head bearings on my 05.
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06-14-2010, 09:07 AM	#4
AlabamaNomadRider Sr. Contributor Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Boaz, Alabama Posts: 13,742	Steering Head Bearings - Racing Crack - Pictures Glad you discovered the problem and got it fixed. Could have caused a terrible situation. Money well spent. __________________ Gene Cross, Jr. Boaz, Alabama KawaNOW/VBA #1181
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06-14-2010, 11:18 AM	#5
macmac Sr. Contributor Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Tamworth New Hampster 06 1600 Posts: 12,484	Steering Head Bearings - Racing Crack - Pictures OMG! Must be a roller, or what is left of one either chipped the cage or another roller and over expanded the race. Not good, and this steering head must have been real gritty for a long time. This is why I stress 'Thar's no dammned grease in there! so much. There is a bearing like part called a sprague, which allows motion in one direction and none in the other. If you go making bearings work like that, you will only ride in circles Nice pics. __________________ 06 1600 Nomad Just call me Mac molon labe come and get it Login or Register to Remove Ads
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06-14-2010, 03:46 PM	#6
redjay Top Contributor Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ontario Posts: 7,017	Steering Head Bearings - Racing Crack - Pictures I wonder if the mechanic cracked it taking it out ?
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06-15-2010, 12:36 PM	#8
dogdoc Top Contributor Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 5,263	Steering Head Bearings - Racing Crack - Pictures Dabull glad you got her fixed. hey did you ever find that vibration problem that you couldnt pin point a few months back?
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