What are steering head bearings?
Steering head bearings, sometimes called steering neck bearings or headstock bearings, provide smooth and stable steering for the front end… as long as they’re in good condition. These bearings will need to be replaced once they’re worn.
How do you know if your steering bearings are loose?
If the bearings are loose, you’ll feel a definite rocking movement, or even hear a clicking noise. If there’s any doubt, have a helper place a finger on the upper steering stem clamp—if he feels movement when you rock the fork, the bearings are loose.
When to make a steering head bearing adjustment?
With the “fall away” method the wheel/forks are hanging from the upper bearing for the adustment {when riding, the lower bearing has the weight on it}. If the nut is too tight the bike will tend to veer/dive to one side, loose is better. Save some time & trouble, check air pressure & tire wear before making any steering head adjustments.
How do you adjust a steering stem on a Harley?
In this video, Bob and Mark show you how to adjust the neck bearing, or steering stem, on a Road King or Touring model. They demonstrate basic lubrication maintenance and the technique for removing and cleaning parts of the bearing and carefully reinstalling them. As always, this job is easier with two people.
How do you adjust the neck bearing on a Harley?
This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button. In this video, Bob and Mark show you how to adjust the neck bearing, or steering stem, on a Road King or Touring model.
When to loosen or tighten steering head nut?
Guys…my service manual says to LOOSEN the adjuster nut if the fall-away is MORE than 2 in and to TIGHTEN the adjuster nut if the fall-away is LESS than 1 in. Is tis correct? Seem like it should be the opposite.
With the “fall away” method the wheel/forks are hanging from the upper bearing for the adustment {when riding, the lower bearing has the weight on it}. If the nut is too tight the bike will tend to veer/dive to one side, loose is better. Save some time & trouble, check air pressure & tire wear before making any steering head adjustments.
What happens if your steering head is too loose?
A steering head that is too loose can interfere with the vehicle’s ability to absorb a wobble. The way I see the adjustment,, don’t adjust for an absolute number of fallaway inches. It’s really adjusting the bearings for a pre-loaded bind that feels right to you.
What are the symptoms of incorrectly adjusted steering?
No much but some. Usually in the neighborhood of .0015″ to .005″. A good example would be boat trailer bearings or front wheel bearings on an old cage that is rear wheel drive. Well we have those same taper bearings in the steering neck but HD wants to run a preload or minus clearance on them.
In this video, Bob and Mark show you how to adjust the neck bearing, or steering stem, on a Road King or Touring model. They demonstrate basic lubrication maintenance and the technique for removing and cleaning parts of the bearing and carefully reinstalling them. As always, this job is easier with two people.