Replacing Steering Bearings

C

Chaos

Well-known member
I recently discovered that I needed new steering bearings. They've since been replaced. My question is that is this a common problem (i.e. part of regular maintenance, like brakes etc), or did I get burned by Italian engineering? My mechanic told me that for Ducati Monster, it's not unusual. What about for other makes/models?
 
Last edited:
My '82 v45 sabre needs them supposedly, but I was used to riding with them being bad for so long that I adjusted and never even noticed.
 
23,000kms.
2008 GSXR750.
Would not pass safety (where I took it) due to a 'notched' bearing.
 
How does one check if their bike needs steering bearings?
 
Last edited:
jeero said:
How does one check if their bike needs steering bearings?
Click to expand...

For me, my steering was feeling twitchy. It felt like the steering and the handlebars were not 100% in sync. It was like the the handlebars could be dead straight, and the wheel can move about 1% in either direction, or vice versa. It wasn't major - I wasn't sure if there was an actual problem or if I were imagining things. I thought it might have been because the weather was colder, or my tires were losing grip. But I noticed the problem wasn't going away, so I had it checked out.

After a chat with the mechanic today about this, he told me it's something that is not uncommon (although not a high frequency replacement item such as brakes). It's not specific to any make/model. I suppose I am somewhat more comforted that it wasn't a Ducati problem.
 
Last edited:
Bearings wear out, simple as that. When depends on many factors. Steering head bearings need to be adjusted and checked regularly just like any other wear item on a bike. Same as wheel bearings and swing arm bearings they need to be checked too.
 
OEMs are notorious for putting an insufficent amount of grease in the steering bearings. On every bike that is new to me, one of the first things I do is strip out the bearings, regrease will a good waterproof grease (belray) and adjust the bearings. I do this annually during the winter (mainly b/c Im bored). 48k on stock bearings and so far so good.
 
mma01 said:
OEMs are notorious for putting an insufficent amount of grease in the steering bearings. On every bike that is new to me, one of the first things I do is strip out the bearings, regrease will a good waterproof grease (belray) and adjust the bearings. I do this annually during the winter (mainly b/c Im bored). 48k on stock bearings and so far so good.
Click to expand...

Good call. "Notching" isn't an impact-caused problem..it's lack of lubrication combined simply with the normal miles a bike sees in one position and that causes fretting.
 
My '06 FZ6 needed them at about 16k km if I remember right. Common issue for that bike though. Replaced with Allballs and has been fine for the 60k km since

This is what they looked like when I took them out btw

IMG_2593.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Back
Top Bottom