Im in over my.....Head Bearings

[bonanzadave]

Got the All Balz Steering Head Bearings so I thought I give it a look. Im taking off the forks anyway for new seals, springs & oil.

So far I have the whole front end disconnected and hanging off the front of the bike. The Bearing outter races in frame goose neck and the lwr inner race on the steering stem may as well be welded on. They dont budge ! Tried some heat to the lwr one with no luck. This is looking more like a complete disassembly and taking the lwr fork tree somewhere to have the lwr bearing removed from the stem and just leaving the old outter races in the frame neck.

Anyone been down this road ?

 

[bonanzadave]

Thanks Search !!

Thanks Search !!

Lots of great info !! Im getting there.......

 

[Commodus]

I have always been able to remove them using chisels, though I have had to sometimes modify the chisels.

However, I have heard of cases where this was not possible, and in those cases generally a welder was used to apply a bead around the races. That bead can then be used as a surface to pry against.

I hope that helps.

 

[bonanzadave]

I have always been able to remove them using chisels, though I have had to sometimes modify the chisels.

However, I have heard of cases where this was not possible, and in those cases generally a welder was used to apply a bead around the races. That bead can then be used as a surface to pry against.

I hope that helps.

Everything helps !! Thanks.

 

[Dave8338]

Oh YES Dave... that looks like fun. An air chisel works the best or you can grab the Dremel and cut them off. Too bad it isn't -20 below right now...you could throw it outside for an hour and then hit just the race with the torch and they all but fall off. I take back the -20 below part...but it does work.

 

[earlfor]

For things like that, my last resort is usually a dremel tool with one of the 1" cut off disks that come with the dremel kit. Using two hands, I steadily cut/grind a 1/16" wide track, going back and forth over it lightly. When it appears to be cut almost through, a chisel will cut the rest of the way and then you can pry the sucker off. Its slow and tedious, but it hasnt failed me yet. LOL

E.

 

[80GS1000]

This article was really helpful when I swapped front ends on my bike, lots of good info on steering stem bearings.

http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/tech/service_steering_head_bearings/

 

[Suzuki mad]

It only seems like yesterday (last year in fact) that my bottom yoke (T tree US) looked just like that. A mate took it to his work, welded a flange to each side of the broken bearing and using a press and puller to get it off!!!! Did your look like that when you stripped it out?

The local Suzuki dealer did my GS1000's. They used a dremmel and a steady hand.

Suzuki mad

1981 GS1000ET
1983 GS(X)1100ESD
2002 GSF1200K1

 

[crag antler]

I did mine over a year ago and still remember it was a pain to get the lower bearing off.
Just use patience with some brute force and you should be ok.
The dremel would probably work too

 

[Dave8338]

C'mon Dave...you've got get that thing together!! It's supposed to be in the mid 70's for the next few days...and there you sit...bike all torn apart! :-D

 

[Paul F]

Does anyone know what the Timkin part number is for the bearings. Where are those "All balls" bearings made?

 

[Footy.]

Please, please, pleeeeeeese!

Do wear some eye protection if you are hitting a hardened bearing race with a chisel!

Someone i know in the motor trade, lost the sight in one eye trying to remove a bearing race with a chisel.

Footy.

 

[bonanzadave]

Does anyone know what the Timkin part number is for the bearings. Where are those "All balls" bearings made?

Here are the #s LWR KBC 32006XJ. TOP KBC 32005XJ.

That was not too brutal. I had the Yamadog dude do it. Hes a snomo / quad guy and a bit of a hack but he did it. $20. Looks as tho he did go caveman on it a little. At least I still have all MY fingers and my eyes.

Next is to get the new one on.........

Also got a lwr fork screw that wont budge. The upside down 5/8 plug socket on a long extension was the cats meow on one side. the other side is stuck. ???

 

[80GS1000]

A piece of PVC pipe wide enough in diameter to fit over the steering stem but narrow enough to ride only on the inner metal ring of the bearing works great to get the new one seated. Hit it with a rubber mallet or dead blow hammer, like this: