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Bikes, Hints'n'Tips => FZS600 Fazer => Topic started by: Tubz1983 on 24 August 2016, 07:47:18 pm

Title: Light front end, slight knocking through the levers?
Post by: Tubz1983 on 24 August 2016, 07:47:18 pm
As title states, the front end has got a bit light and flappy recently, and I can feel a little bit of knocking through the bars/levers at the final point of braking before a dead stop..... Head bearing? Sticking brake piston ? These are wild guesses hence the question !
Any thoughts ?!
Title: Re: Light front end, slight knocking through the levers?
Post by: slappy on 24 August 2016, 08:28:04 pm
Head bearings.
Title: Re: Light front end, slight knocking through the levers?
Post by: Tubz1983 on 24 August 2016, 08:29:55 pm
On the way out for sure then as I suspected, il book her in, thanks T
Title: Re: Light front end, slight knocking through the levers?
Post by: limax2 on 24 August 2016, 08:32:42 pm
I agree, head bearings. But also check the wheel bearings for play.
Title: Re: Light front end, slight knocking through the levers?
Post by: darrsi on 24 August 2016, 08:34:31 pm
Knocking on the head race could just be as simple as it needs tightening up a bit, or the head bearings are on their way out.
You should blatantly hear and feel that, it will be a proper jolt.
A similar but a bit more subtle reason could be brake pads moving in the caliper when braking, but if you're saying the steering feels light then it points to the head race area.
Title: Re: Light front end, slight knocking through the levers?
Post by: Bretty on 24 August 2016, 10:36:23 pm
I'm changing my head bearings this weekend.

I had a knock that has gotten progressively worse. It started out so slight the MOT tester fella couldn't work out if it was head beatings, forks or pads. So passed it because I don't think he wanted to go to all the trouble of finding out.

It might just need tightening, but I'm gonna do the change anyway as it's not been right for the last 6,000 miles.
Title: Re: Light front end, slight knocking through the levers?
Post by: darrsi on 25 August 2016, 06:29:37 am
I'm changing my head bearings this weekend.

I had a knock that has gotten progressively worse. It started out so slight the MOT tester fella couldn't work out if it was head beatings, forks or pads. So passed it because I don't think he wanted to go to all the trouble of finding out.

It might just need tightening, but I'm gonna do the change anyway as it's not been right for the last 6,000 miles.


Friend of mine changed my bearings for me on my bike, i warn you now it ain't a pleasant job, especially removing the lower bearings if i remember correctly.  :smash
Title: Re: Light front end, slight knocking through the levers?
Post by: Bretty on 25 August 2016, 12:34:04 pm
The tricky bit is pulling the cups out and getting the bottom bearing off the head tube, right?

I bought a set of bearing pullers, is there much of a lip under the cups? Or do they just need a lot of force/whacking to get them out?
Title: Re: Light front end, slight knocking through the levers?
Post by: Nightfury on 26 August 2016, 01:54:28 pm
While you have the front up, check the fork bushes as well. Mine are worn and I get a knock as you say. Also the front feels a little light...
Title: Re: Light front end, slight knocking through the levers?
Post by: Tubz1983 on 26 August 2016, 09:38:20 pm
Thanks again guys, I shall inspect. T
Title: Re: Light front end, slight knocking through the levers?
Post by: darrsi on 26 August 2016, 10:03:37 pm
The tricky bit is pulling the cups out and getting the bottom bearing off the head tube, right?

I bought a set of bearing pullers, is there much of a lip under the cups? Or do they just need a lot of force/whacking to get them out?

I remember copious amounts of whacking and maybe even a bit of heat treatment.
Title: Re: Light front end, slight knocking through the levers?
Post by: Bretty on 26 August 2016, 10:14:52 pm
Cheers Darrsi! I'm guessing you're talking about the bearing on the head tube. I'll dig out the blowtorch and make sure I have the dremel to hand.

Planning an early start tomorrow to crack on with it. I've just done oil and seal change on the forks which was fairly painless. :)
Title: Re: Light front end, slight knocking through the levers?
Post by: celticdog on 27 August 2016, 12:01:35 am
I had the same symptoms, it turned out to be the wheel bearings in my case, worth checking.  :)
Title: Re: Light front end, slight knocking through the levers?
Post by: darrsi on 27 August 2016, 12:28:25 am
From experience wheel bearings squeal, that's how i've always known they're on their way out.

And yeah, the lower bearing takes all the weight of breaking so has a habit of planting itself firmly in place over time.
Title: Re: Light front end, slight knocking through the levers?
Post by: BBROWN1664 on 27 August 2016, 09:25:31 am
You can also get a slight clicking from the brake pad/brake disk which you notice more on light braking as you come to a complete stop. You don't notice it as much under heavy braking or at higher speeds.

You do need very sensitive ears/fingers to notice this though.