Steering Head feels loose

[Chop Shop]

hi guys,
recently replaced the steering head bearings with new both top and bottom and put back together. now it feels as though it keeps coming loose on me, i have tightened repeatedly and it continues to do this, the steering goes from firm and comfortable to a tipping feeling at los speed and its hard to lane split.
i have tightened the top two bolts to what im comfortable with, without going overboard.

i can only suggest that the bottom bearing isnt sitting right but i followed the Haynes workshop manual point by point and checked over and over again. could this be even possible, could i have damaged the bottom bearing during reinstallation? i did do this the unconventional way with brute force!

the feeling i get when riding is that the front wheel has a buckle, i know this is certainly not the case and it is the steering head but just mentioning this in case anyone has experianced this before. also when under breaking it shutters.

im not prepared to ride the biek anymore until i find the problem, not safe.

any help appreciated.

cheers,

chop shop

[arsey30]

Take the stem out again and inspect.
It sounds like 1 cup or cone is nor fully seated on the stem or in the head stock.

The retaining nut should be tight [36ft/lbs for nc30, 18 for nc35] the lock nut finger tight against the lock tab, the top yoke will clamp it tight.

[Neosophist]

As above, are you using caged roller balls or taper bearings?

The symptoms you metion seem to be reported much more with taper-rollers.

[Chop Shop]

thanks to both of you i will be pulling it all apart over the weekend to inspect, i am using taper rollers pretty sure. in appearance its rollers in a housing that then sits inside another cover/housing. i bought off ebay link to an example here: http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Honda-VFR400 ... 5ae09de87d

these are exactly what i have.

will report back if i find anything obvious.

[Neosophist]

Yep they are taper rollers.

Make sure the stem is spotless so you can sit the bearing flush.. any ingrained particles can stop it sitting level.

some fine wet and dry or brush will clean it up.

Inspect the cups for damage too

Should get it sorted!

[arsey30]

Tapered needle rollers are adjusted just enough to take out the play, with steering still turning freely.
Lock nut still finger tight so that it does not bear down on the retaining nut.

[Chop Shop]

hi there, thanks both of you for the replies. so i have pulled the front end off again today, cleaned everything and put back together. everything appears as good as it should be so im hoping it was slightly loose and that was all. have put back together and fingers crossed for a hassle free future. just to try it out i have also dropped the front end about an inch further for faster tipping speeds at entry.

one last thing if you dont mind with some suggestions. the front wheel seems to be making a strange noise, again almost like the buckle sound of the wheel as it rotates. its a woomp, woomp (sorry horrible with description) that just continues no matter what the speed, is this something i shoudl eb worried about?

wheel bearings new, steering bearings new, bolts all tight and nothing looks a miss on inspection. im really lost with this and wondering if they all do it.

cheers,

[Neosophist]

hi there, thanks both of you for the replies. so i have pulled the front end off again today, cleaned everything and put back together. everything appears as good as it should be so im hoping it was slightly loose and that was all. have put back together and fingers crossed for a hassle free future. just to try it out i have also dropped the front end about an inch further for faster tipping speeds at entry.

one last thing if you dont mind with some suggestions. the front wheel seems to be making a strange noise, again almost like the buckle sound of the wheel as it rotates. its a woomp, woomp (sorry horrible with description) that just continues no matter what the speed, is this something i shoudl eb worried about?

wheel bearings new, steering bearings new, bolts all tight and nothing looks a miss on inspection. im really lost with this and wondering if they all do it.

cheers,

If the wheel bearing is new (and good!) doens't hurt to double check.. i've seen even professionals accidently damage a bearing when fitting.

It sounds like it could be one of the pads biding on the disc at a certain spot.

[Lane]

If you are having issues like this, the last thing you should be doing is dropping forks through triples at the same time, it will make any differences harder to pinpoint.

Did you punch out the old bearing cups and replace them as well????

[Chop Shop]

hi,

I have new wheel bearings as well. when i bought the bike i went and replaced all the bearings just to be on the safe side, was lucky i did as most had rusted out.

as mentioned i have pulled the front off again, checked all the steering head bearings and yes replaced the houseing they sit in as well. not just the bearing. so everything is brand spanka.

im really lost, the noise is persistant, the front brakes rebound under load and its almost wobbleing as i ride. Im wondering if the front wheel is bucked but when i lift it and spin it, its doesnt appear so. would the smallest of buckles do this?

im going to inspect the front wheel bearings this weekend, ill see if i have damaged one during instalation however i doubt this the case as i was very careful and used a soft rubber mallet and block of wood to get it in, as per the books recomendations.

thanks for the help guys, ill put up with this for another few weeks befroe i take it to the shop i think. will keep you all updated as i go.