Ducati Monster Forum

Moto Board => Tech => Topic started by: corey on March 22, 2010, 04:54:50 PM

Title: Steering Head Bearing Question
Post by: corey on March 22, 2010, 04:54:50 PM
I don't think this question was covered in the other head bearing threads...

Just finished removing the old lower head bearing from my steering stem/bottom triple.
Underneath the bearing seal was a thin aluminum washer. Should this washer remain in place under the new bearings? Or should it be removed, and the new seal be seated directly against the bottom triple?

Bearings are being replaced with SpeedyMoto tapered bearings.

Thanks in advance!
[thumbsup]
Title: Re: Steering Head Bearing Question
Post by: ducpainter on March 22, 2010, 04:56:53 PM
Flatten and re-use the washer. [thumbsup]
Title: Re: Steering Head Bearing Question
Post by: junior varsity on March 22, 2010, 05:07:27 PM
+1.  Its to keep debris out.

On the 93-01 frames, there's also a washer above the top triple, but below the big round bolt. A person could find themselves a titanium if the were industrious... (racebolts.com)
Title: Re: Steering Head Bearing Question
Post by: corey on March 23, 2010, 02:39:41 AM
Quote from: ducpainter on March 22, 2010, 04:56:53 PM
Flatten and re-use the washer. [thumbsup]

awesome thanks guys. glad i didn't bugger it up too bad removing the old ones ;D
Title: Re: Steering Head Bearing Question
Post by: Charlief on March 23, 2010, 04:51:41 PM
Did you save your old race?  If you cut a slot into it you can use it to set your new race in place. Literally took me 30 seconds to set my bottom in
Title: Re: Steering Head Bearing Question
Post by: corey on March 24, 2010, 12:01:33 PM
I did save it, and have already cut a slot into it [thumbsup]
My dad has a nice hydraulic press at work, so I just need a steel tube. I might just use a hammer.
Title: Re: Steering Head Bearing Question
Post by: Duck-Stew on March 24, 2010, 12:59:32 PM
Because the race on the tapered roller bearings is so much thinner than on the ball bearing races, the step in the head tube to seat the race up against nearly covers the entire new tapered roller bearing race so you *may* want to cut a couple slots into the step so that you can remove the new races when/if that time comes.
Title: Re: Steering Head Bearing Question
Post by: Charlief on March 24, 2010, 02:13:10 PM
Quote from: corey on March 24, 2010, 12:01:33 PM
I did save it, and have already cut a slot into it [thumbsup]
My dad has a nice hydraulic press at work, so I just need a steel tube. I might just use a hammer.

I used a piece of PVC and a hammer

(http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff27/charlieff/photo-21.jpg) (http://s241.photobucket.com/albums/ff27/charlieff/?action=view&current=photo-21.jpg)
Title: Re: Steering Head Bearing Question
Post by: Spidey on March 24, 2010, 02:39:18 PM
Put it in the freezer first.  I haven't done it with a Ducati steering stem, but on others it's worked great for getting lower bearings on.  
Title: Re: Steering Head Bearing Question
Post by: corey on March 24, 2010, 03:07:14 PM
All great information! Thanks fellas.
Soon as i get myself a section of tube, i'll toss the triple/stem in the freezer [thumbsup]
Any specific grease i should pack the bearing with? I was going to use good ol' molyB
Title: Re: Steering Head Bearing Question
Post by: junior varsity on March 24, 2010, 03:32:30 PM
i used mobil synthetic, iirc. whatever you got should work
Title: Re: Steering Head Bearing Question
Post by: Duck-Stew on March 25, 2010, 06:33:06 AM
I use Bel-Ray waterproof.
Title: Re: Steering Head Bearing Question
Post by: corey on March 25, 2010, 05:01:57 PM
Quote from: Duck-Stew on March 25, 2010, 06:33:06 AM
I use Bel-Ray waterproof.

not sure why, but that seems like a really good idea...
;D
Title: Re: Steering Head Bearing Question
Post by: scott_araujo on March 27, 2010, 11:03:32 AM
Quote from: corey on March 25, 2010, 05:01:57 PM
not sure why, but that seems like a really good idea...
;D

+1.  These bearings seem to rot like pears.  Maybe Ducati doesn't put enough grease in, maybe the seal is not so great, maybe both.

Also, I heard that with the tapered bearings you should install the dust shield washers upside down so they don't rub on the bearing race.  Anyone else heard this?

Scott
Title: Re: Steering Head Bearing Question
Post by: Duck-Stew on March 27, 2010, 02:24:33 PM
Quote from: scott_araujo on March 27, 2010, 11:03:32 AM
+1.  These bearings seem to rot like pears.  Maybe Ducati doesn't put enough grease in, maybe the seal is not so great, maybe both.

Also, I heard that with the tapered bearings you should install the dust shield washers upside down so they don't rub on the bearing race.  Anyone else heard this?

Scott

I found some 1mm spacers that put the shield just enough far away from the tapered bearing.
Title: Re: Steering Head Bearing Question
Post by: scott_araujo on March 27, 2010, 03:00:48 PM
Genius! :)
Title: Re: Steering Head Bearing Question
Post by: corey on March 28, 2010, 07:14:24 PM
Quote from: scott_araujo on March 27, 2010, 11:03:32 AM
+1.  These bearings seem to rot like pears.  Maybe Ducati doesn't put enough grease in, maybe the seal is not so great, maybe both.

Also, I heard that with the tapered bearings you should install the dust shield washers upside down so they don't rub on the bearing race.  Anyone else heard this?

Scott

pfff... now he tells me. :/
oh well, i'll just have to keep an eye on it, hope for the best.
bike doesn't see much rain, so i think i'll be alright if the seal breaks down a little eventually.
Title: Re: Steering Head Bearing Question
Post by: djrashonal on March 28, 2010, 09:14:32 PM
next time you replace them you could go highbrow with the Japanese tapered bearings - Koyo
Title: Re: Steering Head Bearing Question
Post by: corey on March 29, 2010, 04:33:26 AM
meh, hardened steel is hardened steel to me... these things probably don't even make a single full rotation each time i ride... any tapered roller bearing has to be better than those shitty ball bearings that were in there.
Title: Re: Steering Head Bearing Question
Post by: djrashonal on May 15, 2010, 07:03:39 AM
Quote from: Duck-Stew on March 25, 2010, 06:33:06 AM
I use Bel-Ray waterproof.
Quote from: a m on March 24, 2010, 03:32:30 PM
i used mobil synthetic, iirc. whatever you got should work
(sorry for the thread jack)
All this talk about types of grease, but how does one actually apply it. in other words, what does it mean to pack the bearings?
Title: Re: Steering Head Bearing Question
Post by: scott_araujo on May 15, 2010, 07:22:25 AM
The idea is to fill all the air space in the cage around the bearings with grease, no air pockets.

With clean hands, place a dollop of grease in the palm of one hand.  Hold the bearing in the other hand and press the edge against the grease while sliding across your palm.  You'll see the grease work its way up through the rollers.  Works the same way with caged ball bearings as with roller bearings.  Put a good glop of grease in the bearing cup and any other surface involved before re-assembly.  Remember, no air is the goal.

This is a good video though he taps and I drag.  Same same I guess in the end. 

Correct way to pack a wheel bearing (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agxjGtmHV_4#lq-hq-vhq)

Scott
Title: Re: Steering Head Bearing Question
Post by: djrashonal on May 15, 2010, 07:29:18 AM
wow Scott! Thanks for the help and quick response. I'll give it a go right now  [thumbsup]
Title: Re: Steering Head Bearing Question
Post by: scott_araujo on May 15, 2010, 07:30:45 AM
Make sure to use the funny vaguely French accent, that's key! ;)

Scott
Title: Re: Steering Head Bearing Question
Post by: djrashonal on May 15, 2010, 07:39:50 AM
Quote from: scott_araujo on May 15, 2010, 07:30:45 AM
Make sure to use the funny vaguely French accent, that's key! ;)

Scott

HAHAHA, i was guessing some sort of Australasian
Title: Re: Steering Head Bearing Question
Post by: scott_araujo on May 15, 2010, 10:05:34 AM
Wherever he's from, nice of him to post that for the rest of us :)