Steering bearings

KURT44 · 11-13-2016, 04:00 PM

I replaced the stock steering bearings about 12,000 miles ago. Never really cured my slight front end wobble. Recently I decided to try and re-tighten them. I got about a quarter turn tighter than it was. Now I notice a positive stop when steering is at dead center. Could tell this easily when front end was off the ground and can slightly tell when on the ground. Still turns very easy and have not noticed a wobble in over two hundred miles. Was the dead center stop always there and I didn`t notice? I do not know what torque it is tightened at.

redjay · 11-13-2016, 04:28 PM

A positive stop at dead centre is usually an indication that the bearings need to be changed. Did you over tighten the bearings when you replaced them ?

KURT44 · 11-13-2016, 04:47 PM

Definitely could be to tight, probably just back them off and leave it that way. I am not convinced bearings are the problem with this bike. Have read enough posts where others didn't see a difference at changing out bearings either. Will probably talk to my dealership. They are usually pretty helpful. Thanks

redjay · 11-13-2016, 05:44 PM

Did you replace with Allballs bearings or OEM ?

KURT44 · 11-13-2016, 06:40 PM

Yes, I did. I really wasn't having much shake lately but decided to check for play with the tire off the ground. There was a small amount of play and that's why I tightened some more. Thinking if I just back it off it will be good.

KURT44 · 11-13-2016, 08:15 PM

Watching some you tube videos about this. You are correct, need to replace them. I will buy a torque wrench this time. Does anyone make a socket to fit the steering nut?

MET-RICK · 11-14-2016, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KURT44

Watching some you tube videos about this. You are correct, need to replace them. I will buy a torque wrench this time. Does anyone make a socket to fit the steering nut?

*** I got this one and it worked like a charm, do a forum search under, "all balls". Good luck, cheers.
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/121450654296?rmvSB=true

tonik · 11-14-2016, 11:09 PM

Here are the all balls bearings you want if you decide to replace them. Much better option.

http://www.allballsracing.com/22-1039.html

**Jofourn** · 11-15-2016, 08:44 PM

2105 Vaquero. Wore down the Bridgestone front and replaced it with a Commander II and balance beads. Not sure why, but developed a wobble. Front was loose, noisy and not comfortable to ride. Had steering stem checked by the dealer and re-torqued to spec. No change. Just had the All Balls tapered bearings put in... what a difference! Wobble gone and it turns like it's on rails. The whole steering system is so much smoother. Can't recommend it highly enough!

Kap · 11-15-2016, 10:18 PM

I had a very good experience with All Balls tapered bearings as well. Ended up putting them in both my Voyager and the Classic. Really improved the feel of the bikes, however, they don't install with the same specs as the factory ones.

Here's the word I got from their tech support:

We recommend torquing the spanner nut up to 40 ft/lbs then backing down to 25-28 ft/lbs. There are guys running less, keep in mind this is just a recommendation.

If you feel any looseness tighten it until you can't feel that anymore, this can be tested by pushing and pulling the forks.

Thanks,

Alex Kretz
All Balls Racing

VulcanD · 11-20-2016, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kap

I had a very good experience with All Balls tapered bearings as well. Ended up putting them in both my Voyager and the Classic. Really improved the feel of the bikes, however, they don't install with the same specs as the factory ones.

Here's the word I got from their tech support:

We recommend torquing the spanner nut up to 40 ft/lbs then backing down to 25-28 ft/lbs. There are guys running less, keep in mind this is just a recommendation.

If you feel any looseness tighten it until you can't feel that anymore, this can be tested by pushing and pulling the forks.

Thanks,

Alex Kretz
All Balls Racing

Mine go on in another 1200 miles when I cross 15K or so. I had significant wobble when I changed the front to Commander II. I ended up replacing the Commander II with Bridgestone, and it got better, but not perfect. Hoping all balls will make it better and allow me to put the Commander II back on when the Bridgestone wears out.

talon · 11-26-2016, 10:18 PM

Thanks for the info on the All-Balls bearings. I think I want to replace mine. I had a wobble on my 05 Nomad and it was the stem bearings. A couple extra pounds of torque, no more issue. Thought about doing same with Vaq, it has a slight wobble between 40-50 mph; that's the only time it does it.

Curious, how hard is it to tighten the stem-bearing nut if I want to try that first?

I have heard good things about the beveled bearings and may just replace them, I would like to try the other if I can though.

Thanks,
T

Snake Ranch · 11-27-2016, 12:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VulcanD

Mine go on in another 1200 miles when I cross 15K or so. I had significant wobble when I changed the front to Commander II. I ended up replacing the Commander II with Bridgestone, and it got better, but not perfect. Hoping all balls will make it better and allow me to put the Commander II back on when the Bridgestone wears out.

Check that Commander II for side wobble. Mine started with s slight head shake and as time passed it got worse. It was worse in a lefthand turn more so than a righthand turn.

I checked the torque on the head bearings and it was good. I doubled it and it was still there.

I jacked the front off the floor and spun the tire and saw a side to side wobble in the tire. I put a dial indicator on the rim and it had .005 " deflection.

So the tire was the problem. I contacted Michelin tires motorcycle division and to make a long story short they said they would pay 80% for the tire replacement and labor.

I replaced the tire and the head shake went away.

Snake Ranch · 11-27-2016, 12:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by talon

Thanks for the info on the All-Balls bearings. I think I want to replace mine. I had a wobble on my 05 Nomad and it was the stem bearings. A couple extra pounds of torque, no more issue. Thought about doing same with Vaq, it has a slight wobble between 40-50 mph; that's the only time it does it.

Curious, how hard is it to tighten the stem-bearing nut if I want to try that first?

I have heard good things about the beveled bearings and may just replace them, I would like to try the other if I can though.

Thanks,
T

I removed the 2 nuts and washers that hold the handlebar risers in place and after putting a towel on the tank, I laid them there while I messed with the steering stem nuts. The top nut needs a thin wall 36 mm socket so you can remove the top fork bracket. I made a spanner socket for the lower nut that provides the torque for the stem bearings.

Here is another thread by another member and he listed the tools he used and some short cuts he learned. Check this out: http://www.vulcanbagger.com/forums/s...ad.php?t=42294

Good luck with it.

11-13-2016, 04:00 PM	#1
KURT44 Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: WEST OF ROCKFORD IL. Posts: 133	Steering bearings I replaced the stock steering bearings about 12,000 miles ago. Never really cured my slight front end wobble. Recently I decided to try and re-tighten them. I got about a quarter turn tighter than it was. Now I notice a positive stop when steering is at dead center. Could tell this easily when front end was off the ground and can slightly tell when on the ground. Still turns very easy and have not noticed a wobble in over two hundred miles. Was the dead center stop always there and I didn`t notice? I do not know what torque it is tightened at. __________________ Kurt44 2012 voyager Happy trails! Login or Register to Remove Ads
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11-13-2016, 04:47 PM	#3
KURT44 Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: WEST OF ROCKFORD IL. Posts: 133	Definitely could be to tight, probably just back them off and leave it that way. I am not convinced bearings are the problem with this bike. Have read enough posts where others didn't see a difference at changing out bearings either. Will probably talk to my dealership. They are usually pretty helpful. Thanks __________________ Kurt44 2012 voyager Happy trails!
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11-13-2016, 06:40 PM	#5
KURT44 Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: WEST OF ROCKFORD IL. Posts: 133	Yes, I did. I really wasn't having much shake lately but decided to check for play with the tire off the ground. There was a small amount of play and that's why I tightened some more. Thinking if I just back it off it will be good. __________________ Kurt44 2012 voyager Happy trails! Login or Register to Remove Ads
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11-13-2016, 08:15 PM	#6
KURT44 Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: WEST OF ROCKFORD IL. Posts: 133	Watching some you tube videos about this. You are correct, need to replace them. I will buy a torque wrench this time. Does anyone make a socket to fit the steering nut? __________________ Kurt44 2012 voyager Happy trails!
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11-15-2016, 10:18 PM	#10
Kap Jr. Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Southern California Posts: 48	I had a very good experience with All Balls tapered bearings as well. Ended up putting them in both my Voyager and the Classic. Really improved the feel of the bikes, however, they don't install with the same specs as the factory ones. Here's the word I got from their tech support: We recommend torquing the spanner nut up to 40 ft/lbs then backing down to 25-28 ft/lbs. There are guys running less, keep in mind this is just a recommendation. If you feel any looseness tighten it until you can't feel that anymore, this can be tested by pushing and pulling the forks. Thanks, Alex Kretz All Balls Racing __________________ Kap 2010 1700 Classic LT ("Red") Friends tell me I need to get in shape. Round is a shape, isn't it?
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11-13-2016, 04:28 PM	#2
redjay Top Contributor Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ontario Posts: 6,978	A positive stop at dead centre is usually an indication that the bearings need to be changed. Did you over tighten the bearings when you replaced them ?
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11-13-2016, 05:44 PM	#4
redjay Top Contributor Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ontario Posts: 6,978	Did you replace with Allballs bearings or OEM ?
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11-14-2016, 11:09 PM	#8
tonik Advanced Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Cleveland Ohio Posts: 714	Here are the all balls bearings you want if you decide to replace them. Much better option. http://www.allballsracing.com/22-1039.html
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11-15-2016, 08:44 PM	#9
Jofourn Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Carleton Place, Ontario Posts: 14	2105 Vaquero. Wore down the Bridgestone front and replaced it with a Commander II and balance beads. Not sure why, but developed a wobble. Front was loose, noisy and not comfortable to ride. Had steering stem checked by the dealer and re-torqued to spec. No change. Just had the All Balls tapered bearings put in... what a difference! Wobble gone and it turns like it's on rails. The whole steering system is so much smoother. Can't recommend it highly enough!
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11-26-2016, 10:18 PM	#12
talon Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Van Buren, AR Posts: 462	Thanks for the info on the All-Balls bearings. I think I want to replace mine. I had a wobble on my 05 Nomad and it was the stem bearings. A couple extra pounds of torque, no more issue. Thought about doing same with Vaq, it has a slight wobble between 40-50 mph; that's the only time it does it. Curious, how hard is it to tighten the stem-bearing nut if I want to try that first? I have heard good things about the beveled bearings and may just replace them, I would like to try the other if I can though. Thanks, T __________________ Heath Cady aka "Talon" VBA #01416 2012 Vaquero SE Candy-Lime Green/Black aka "T'Kehla" 2005 Nomad 1600 Black/Silver aka "Mystique" (SOLD) 2006 Vulcan Classic aka "Lil'Wolf" (SOLD) "Life isn't a race; no one gets out alive. May as well slow down and enjoy the ride."
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