Steering Head Bearing Question

[scott_araujo]

Genius!

[corey]

+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.

[djrashonal]

next time you replace them you could go highbrow with the Japanese tapered bearings - Koyo

[corey]

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.

[djrashonal]

I use Bel-Ray waterproof.

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?

[scott_araujo]

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

Scott

[djrashonal]

wow Scott! Thanks for the help and quick response. I'll give it a go right now 

[scott_araujo]

Make sure to use the funny vaguely French accent, that's key!

Scott

[djrashonal]

Make sure to use the funny vaguely French accent, that's key!

Scott

HAHAHA, i was guessing some sort of Australasian

[scott_araujo]

Wherever he's from, nice of him to post that for the rest of us