Steering Bearing Longevity 41K

[Peg]

I don't recall sorry, and took no photos during the install. That was 3 1/2 years ago, and 35k km's have passed under the tires since then... I can still ride it under deceleration or with cruise set holding on with very lightly held fingertips, but it really is time I went back in there to check the head nut torque and maybe spread some more grease around.

I'm also thinking that maybe that can wait until the end of our riding season.

[ldhthept]

Just got my Allballs steering head bearings in the mail yesterday (still don’t understand mail delivery on a Sunday). Will be doing mine soon but like Peg may wait so I can ride in the beautiful weather we have now. I replaced them prob about 35k miles ago but am beginning to feel some notching that effects slow speed riding. May take a wknd and do them but it is one of the jobs that I dislike doing and am not impressed with local shop or their price to do.

[mbarr10]

Not seeing any Egg on you.
I learned something not to do. I will Use the new seals for the new bearings now that I know. I feel with out your past experiences I may have used OEM seals myself.

Mike07nad had a great post on the install of the forks after the bearings just this week. Other tips I have picked up to make my turn at this go smoother.

http://www.vulcanbagger.com/forums/s...ad.php?t=48058

Now I just need the rest of the puzzle, But the shop manual should work for the removal of the forks and bearing races. Already have the spanner socket, so I do not need to remove the fairing on my Vaquero. Maybe next year I will grow a pair and do it.

[Sabre-t]

Originally Posted by ldhthept

Just got my Allballs steering head bearings in the mail yesterday (still don’t understand mail delivery on a Sunday). Will be doing mine soon but like Peg may wait so I can ride in the beautiful weather we have now. I replaced them prob about 35k miles ago but am beginning to feel some notching that effects slow speed riding. May take a wknd and do them but it is one of the jobs that I dislike doing and am not impressed with local shop or their price to do.

Just curious: In that 35K miles, how often did you grease the bearings, and how often did you check the torque?

[H8BUGZ]

[QUOTE=Now I just need the rest of the puzzle, But the shop manual should work for the removal of the forks and bearing races. Already have the spanner socket, so I do not need to remove the fairing on my Vaquero. Maybe next year I will grow a pair and do it.[/QUOTE]

The fairing can stay on. Remove tank and lay handlebars on frame backbone.
I will say - All Balls races are going to be tough to remove. Not as much lip as OEM's. I'm not sure I can get the welder in the neck without burning up some important stuff. It would be great to tack a washer to the race and drive it out. Maybe I can shrink them with the acetylene welding tip.

[redjay]

A blind puller set is handy for neck and wheel bearings.



Go to 6.30 in the video. An expanding mandrel goes in the race of the bearing.
The mandrel has a lip on it that after it is expanded catches the inside of the race or bearing that you want to extract. There are some cheap sets on Ebay that use a slide hammer instead of a bridge puller shown in the video.
I got my set on sale from Princess Auto in Canada.

https://www.princessauto.com/en/deta...et/A-p8104036e

Mandrel sizes.

8mm: 5/16"to 13/32"(8-10mm) 10mm: 13/32"to 15/32"(10-12mm) 12mm: 15/32"to 9/16"(12-14mm) 15mm: 19/32"to 11/16"(15-17mm) 17mm: 11/16"to 25/32"(17-20mm) 20mm: 25/32"to 15/16"(20-24mm) 25mm: 1"to 1-1/8"(25-29mm) 30mm: 1-3/16"to 1-1/4"(30-32mm)


Harbor Freight probably has something similar ?

[DragonLady58]

Well, if you install the allballs, fully seat the races, install with right preload, they'll last quite a few years if lubed correctly....
Once you get a little slack in the bearings and have a hard impact like a tooth jarring pothole, that, can notch your bearings and races....

[Peg]

For getting the old bearing races out, here's an excellent tool it's quite easy to make yourself, or just buy one ready made off EBay.

For seating the new races, cut right through one of the old ones using a Dremel, and use that to push the new one home. I used threaded rod & some large washers, and had the new race in the freezer overnight beforehand.

[ldhthept]

“Just curious: In that 35K miles, how often did you grease the bearings, and how often did you check the torque?”
Sabre-t: a total of zero times. Packed bearings real good, seated them properly and then tightened steering nut until the front end quit clunking and the steering moved correctly and smoothly. Then I rode it...a lot. Just now noticing a notch when riding at slow speeds.

[UNCLE WILLIE]

40,000 + on origonal head bearings --- lubed and re assembled @ 30,000 --- smooth with no issues and no wobbles --- probably some day will change to roller brgs when needed but not before ---wish they came with rollers from the factory

[H8BUGZ]

All Balls bearing races are flush with the neck. There is only a slight "vee" depression in the bell area behind the race. It is impossible to get a drift on. I had to grind the puller shown to nearly a sharp point to catch in the neck groove. The tool is very durable and did the job effortlessly after modification. It's possible other devices mentioned can work. My guess is they would all need modification.

[Peg]

Right... that settles it. When my All Balls steering bearings require replacement, I'm trading the bike.

[ldhthept]

Way ahead of you Peg, already looking!

[mike07nad]

Originally Posted by Peg

Right... that settles it. When my All Balls steering bearings require replacement, I'm trading the bike.

And why do you think I'm on my third Voyager? Each time I traded - I looked at the other options out there. Indian, Victory, BMW, Wing, Slingshot, and Spyder. Been around enough HD's that that will probably never be an option for me. (Read that as I don't want to have to buy new clothes and get a tattoo). Bottom line for me is I just like the Voyager and it fits me. Should you just go with another Voyager, you can jack up all your accessories and slide a new bike under it.

Note - I traded my first one (2009 non-ABS) Because of he wobble. This was before everyone found the AllBalls Bearings.

[buckey1313]

Put in All Balls in my steering head after my accident. I notice no difference at all in how the bike performs. I do prefer this type of bearing though.