Author Topic: Head Bearings (Read 3493 times)

Dead Eye · « **on:** 04 October 2013, 07:04:57 pm »

So instead of infesting a dozen other topics about my woes I figured it would be a good idea to start a thread.

I'm currently embarking on replacing the Head Bearings and so far it hasn't been tooo bad... until now...

Dismantled the front end the other night and removed the old bearings which were beginning to get notchy. The lower race also has some pitting in it which I think is where most of my problems have come from... I hope...

In any case, I managed to get the upper race out using a hammer of all things... its a lump hammer thing and it was slightly smaller than the internal diameter of the race so I managed to anchor the edge of the hammer head underneath the race and leverage it out without having to use a drift at all which is awesome as its no doubt saved me a headache... however, the lower race is an absolute b!tch as was expected. I can't seem to find (or buy) a screwdriver to use as a drift that has the right profile. All the long screwdrivers seem to have heads that are too wide and the shaft is too bloody strong to bend to make it fit better plus the races' larger size means my hammer trick doesn't work

TL;DR

So basically, advice is requested ^^

I've pretty much run out of light this evening but I have the whole of tomorrow scheduled to try and get this sorted. I think my butane torch might be coming out to play but it would be nice to have a half decent drift

chaz · « **Reply #1 on:** 04 October 2013, 07:51:33 pm »

have a look at 5:00 http://youtu.be/NO1KNF3toQg

Dead Eye · « **Reply #2 on:** 04 October 2013, 08:10:12 pm »

Nice, I would have thought about using one of those (1/2" ratchet extension bar)

I actually have a decent length one as well so I'll give that a try tomorrow

Punkstig · « **Reply #3 on:** 05 October 2013, 09:12:26 am »

I don't see how an extension bar will work on our fazers tbh- the lower race doesn't stand proud like it does on that bike in the video, instead there's two notches in the headstock which gives minimal purchase for which an extension bar would be too rounded to grab, and would easily slip off, if you have a spare extension bar you could grind an edge on it to make it fit the notches more securely.
Just remember when removing the race- if you think you're twatting it hard enough with the hammer, you're not, twat it harder!

Fazerider · « **Reply #4 on:** 05 October 2013, 09:44:13 am »

I filed the blade of a big screwdriver until it was narrow enough to fit in the headstock notches.
If you've a butane torch and a hammer, getting a slight bend in the shaft of the screwdriver shouldn't be difficult.
Firm blows are all that's needed to drift the bearing out, it's more important to shift it evenly, get the bearing askew in there and it will get much tighter.
If you've someone to give you a hand, another screwdriver can be useful at the bottom to help force the tip of your drift against the notch as you get started. Once the bearing's started to move it's easier to get purchase.

Dead Eye · « **Reply #5 on:** 05 October 2013, 10:00:58 am »

Thanks for the advice, about to head out and start swearing

I loosely tried to see if my extension bar was long enough last night and it appears to be and seemed to get a reasonable purchase, but it was dark so I couldn't see huge amounts. I'll confirm in a bit if its any good for our bikes

red98 · « **Reply #6 on:** 05 October 2013, 10:03:36 am »

morning deadeye......watching you thread but not posted as not changed the bearings on a fazer....didnt want to mislead you $:\$ .....good luck,i`ll keep watching

Dead Eye · « **Reply #7 on:** 05 October 2013, 10:04:36 am »

Thanks red, I'll take all the support I can get

Hedgetrimmer · « **Reply #8 on:** 05 October 2013, 10:14:25 am »

Stop yakking and get out and get it done!! LoFo ride tomorrow, be ready!

(I think the London lot are gonna be outnumbered - is it still a LoFo ride? $:\$ )

Dead Eye · « **Reply #9 on:** 05 October 2013, 10:43:22 am »

Yay! Races are out ^^

1/2" extension bar was mostly useless which Mr. Punkstig said it would be.... however 2x 3/8" extension bars proved to be absolutely bloody perfect!!

So old races out, new races in

Although I didn't use anything as fancy as a £200~ bearing puller / press... no I used my hammer... and a screwdriver... very carefully!

And now I've noticed... the bottom lower race is still on the steering stem

So I've probably jynxed it by saying "this is going well!" and its never going to want to come off... this might be the day I invest in dremel (advice welcome on brand / type (if there is such a thing))

CRH · « **Reply #10 on:** 05 October 2013, 10:53:33 am »

i picked a cheapo up from focus about 6months ago?...sure it was round £15...used it loads of times..been great!!..cutting discs etc good kit for money?

Dead Eye · « **Reply #11 on:** 05 October 2013, 11:01:51 am »

Some quick piccies

After last years "event" precautions were taken before hand

And then the hero tools that successfully removed the bottom race - this is also the hammer that I used to anchor out the top race

darrsi · « **Reply #12 on:** 05 October 2013, 11:16:53 am »

Couldn't fit the 3 fire engines in frame?

Hedgetrimmer · « **Reply #13 on:** 05 October 2013, 11:46:39 am »

Quote from: darrsi on 05 October 2013, 11:16:53 am

Couldn't fit the 3 fire engines in frame?

Ouch!

Fazerider · « **Reply #14 on:** 05 October 2013, 12:54:09 pm »

Quote from: Dead Eye on 05 October 2013, 10:43:22 am

... And now I've noticed... the bottom lower race is still on the steering stem ...

A few whacks on a cold chisel shifted mine. The 90º tip means you can get it started without deforming the base of the yoke where the bearing sits.

red98 · « **Reply #15 on:** 05 October 2013, 01:41:25 pm »

nice one DEADEYE........getting there

Dead Eye · « **Reply #16 on:** 05 October 2013, 02:01:10 pm »

Slowly but surely... got the race on the steering stem off - had to buy a dremel to cut it though

Currently stuck trying to get the new one on

Damn thing wont shift

Once I got the old race off I cut all the way through it (it sheared through before I got that far) and I've turn it upside down on top of the new race so that I can use a drift on the old race and not damage the new one... but alas it doesn't appear to be going anywhere

Almost at the point of attempting to fit the steering stem and trying to tighten it all up to force the race down but I have a feeling this is a bad idea and would result in damaging the new bearings...

Punkstig · « **Reply #17 on:** 05 October 2013, 03:03:12 pm »

Shove the new one in the freezer overnight and try again tomorrow buddy!

Dead Eye · « **Reply #18 on:** 05 October 2013, 04:24:08 pm »

It needs to slide down on to the steering stem so ideally it needs to be heated up to expand not put in the freezer :P

In any case, job is complete! I found that one of my axle stand legs was the perfect size to fit over the stem and rest on the old race that was flush against the new race (without damaging the bearings) and then I could just wack the hell out of it and drive it home. Literally took about 10 seconds once I'd started

So, entire front end has now been reassembled, no spare bolts which is a good sign so just need to finish tidying up, wash my hands and then go for a test ride ^^

Punkstig · « **Reply #19 on:** 05 October 2013, 04:32:11 pm »

You know what, for some reason I completely misread your previous and thought you was talking about knocking the race into the steering head, even though clearly you're not!

*palm,face

Dead Eye · « **Reply #20 on:** 05 October 2013, 04:37:25 pm »

Haha yeah, I figured as much :P

I'm glad the job is done... it wasn't exactly fun but it could have been a lot worse. Just need to keep an eye on them now and adjust them over the next week

Probably adjust them after the LoFo ride as by then they will need doing I expect

Punkstig · « **Reply #21 on:** 05 October 2013, 04:50:06 pm »

No it's not a fun job, but it is one of those jobs that won't need doing again for a long long time, unless you start pulling wheelies with heavy landings!

CRH · « **Reply #22 on:** 05 October 2013, 04:51:01 pm »

lets hope you didnt forget to grease em up?

darrsi · « **Reply #23 on:** 05 October 2013, 05:12:26 pm »

Quote from: CRH on 05 October 2013, 04:51:01 pm

lets hope you didnt forget to grease em up?

Probably best if you'd have mentioned that a few hours ago.

red98 · « **Reply #24 on:** 05 October 2013, 06:28:37 pm »

well done DEADEYE......see you tomorrow