Ducati Monster Forum

Moto Board => Tech => Topic started by: Rudemouthsky on June 28, 2013, 12:03:10 PM

Title: HELP races/ steering head bearings absolutely won't budge
Post by: Rudemouthsky on June 28, 2013, 12:03:10 PM
It's as if the races are threaded. We've applied heat, slide hammers, pounded with so much force that it's scaring me. My bike is currently suspended to the ceiling with ratchet straps.

How does this thing come out. This is unbelievable...
Title: Re: HELP races/ steering head bearings absolutely won't budge
Post by: ducpainter on June 28, 2013, 12:13:40 PM
What are you using for a hammer?
Title: Re: HELP races/ steering head bearings absolutely won't budge
Post by: Rudemouthsky on June 28, 2013, 12:15:04 PM
Slide hammer through the stem, the upper part that pounds is pound square on top of the bearing. Not budging.
Title: Re: HELP races/ steering head bearings absolutely won't budge
Post by: Rudemouthsky on June 28, 2013, 01:00:22 PM
It's as if the lower triple and stem are welded in there. It just won't go. I can't believe this hasn't been encountered
Title: Re: HELP races/ steering head bearings absolutely won't budge
Post by: ChrisK on June 28, 2013, 01:36:03 PM
Maybe take some pictures of what you're looking at? Usually with some good whacks they'll start to budge and eventually will pound all the way out.
Title: Re: HELP races/ steering head bearings absolutely won't budge
Post by: ducpainter on June 28, 2013, 03:08:27 PM
Quote from: Buck Naked on June 28, 2013, 12:15:04 PM
Slide hammer through the stem, the upper part that pounds is pound square on top of the bearing. Not budging.
Wrong method...unless you're using a 5lb slide hammer

get a long drift...

and a hammer...  ;) 3lb or larger.
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31wnhpDp7UL._SX385_.jpg)
Title: Re: HELP races/ steering head bearings absolutely won't budge
Post by: Rudemouthsky on June 28, 2013, 04:49:38 PM
I am telling you I pounded past the point I felt comfortable. The only way it ended coming off was with a hammer and chisel to the bearing itself and the arduous job of using pliers to remove each and every steel roller. Needless to say that bearing isn't going to be reused.

It was facking ridiculous.
Title: Re: HELP races/ steering head bearings absolutely won't budge
Post by: ducpainter on June 28, 2013, 04:53:51 PM
The bottom bearing should be on the stem with the lower triple.

The top bearing should come right off.

We're talking the outer races or cups...correct?
Title: Re: HELP races/ steering head bearings absolutely won't budge
Post by: Rudemouthsky on June 28, 2013, 05:12:59 PM
The lower is still in great condition. The upper was the problem. It was literally seized inside the frame. I had to "chisel" the race? (outer ring) apart and pry out the bearings. At that point everything just slid out.
Title: Re: HELP races/ steering head bearings absolutely won't budge
Post by: ducpainter on June 28, 2013, 05:16:26 PM
Quote from: Buck Naked on June 28, 2013, 05:12:59 PM
The lower is still in great condition. The upper was the problem. It was literally seized inside the frame. I had to "chisel" the race? (outer ring) apart and pry out the bearings. At that point everything just slid out.
Unless I'm missing something the actual upper bearing and inner race should just lift off the outer race which is pressed in the frame.

Did you take any pics?
Title: Re: HELP races/ steering head bearings absolutely won't budge
Post by: Rudemouthsky on June 28, 2013, 05:22:12 PM
Quote from: ducpainter on June 28, 2013, 05:16:26 PM
Unless I'm missing something the actual upper bearing and inner race should just lift off the outer race which is pressed in the frame.

Did you take any pics?

no, no pics. Just the mangled bearing. I'm really surprised no one has encountered this.
Title: Re: HELP races/ steering head bearings absolutely won't budge
Post by: suzyj on June 28, 2013, 06:15:47 PM
I dunno how ducati do it, but one of the steps I do when I make bicycle frames is to ream and face the head tube accurately so the races will fit. The head tubes are sized about 0.2mm undersized to ensure some material gets removed in reaming.

I've come across bicycle frames where nobody reamed the head tube, and instead forced the bearings in, with pretty ugly results. Perhaps the same thing on your bike?
Title: Re: HELP races/ steering head bearings absolutely won't budge
Post by: ducpainter on June 28, 2013, 06:22:17 PM
Quote from: suzyj on June 28, 2013, 06:15:47 PM
I dunno how ducati do it, but one of the steps I do when I make bicycle frames is to ream and face the head tube accurately so the races will fit. The head tubes are sized about 0.2mm undersized to ensure some material gets removed in reaming.

I've come across bicycle frames where nobody reamed the head tube, and instead forced the bearings in, with pretty ugly results. Perhaps the same thing on your bike?

The outer races on motorcycles are a light press fit.

The engineers designed them that way.  ;D
Title: Re: HELP races/ steering head bearings absolutely won't budge
Post by: brad black on June 29, 2013, 06:24:53 AM
I found it hard to actually understand what you are doing, but do you mean that you couldn't get the steering stem (therefore lower triple) to slide out of the top bearing?  never experienced that before.  i'd usually use a nylon or brass drift or piece of wood to quilt the f**k out of it.
Title: Re: HELP races/ steering head bearings absolutely won't budge
Post by: Slide Panda on June 29, 2013, 08:34:36 AM
A little penetrating oil - like Deep Creep or PB Blaster can make a lot of difference.
Title: Re: HELP races/ steering head bearings absolutely won't budge
Post by: Rudemouthsky on June 29, 2013, 02:44:14 PM
Quote from: brad black on June 29, 2013, 06:24:53 AM
I found it hard to actually understand what you are doing, but do you mean that you couldn't get the steering stem (therefore lower triple) to slide out of the top bearing?  never experienced that before.  i'd usually use a nylon or brass drift or piece of wood to quilt the f**k out of it.

The inner race was rusted, seized to the frame and bearing. I don't know how else to explain it