16,000

[wryanusarmy]

Headed into the 16,000 mile service. The owners manual calls to repack the steering stem. It is a lot of work and my steering is fine do I really need to repack it. My other bikes do not call for this repacking for a while that is why I am wondering if it is really necassary. It is a 2006 I am the original owner. There has been no harsh incidents involving the front end.

 

[radman]

Yes, you should. Better yet, upgrade to Roller Bearing Set.

 

[FatNakedGuy]

This one Rad?

https://www.goallballs.com/Bearings_Seals.asp?page=STK

 

[radman]

22-1003. The lookup link times out-try This.

 

[Geezer]

Repacking the steering hear bearings is easier than it looks. Do it at the same time that you replace the fork oil and you'll already have most of the work done. Do both of these while you have the front wheel off for a tire change and you'll save even more work.

Replacing the bearings is a little more difficult because the bearings are a very tight fit. You should search the forum for posts regarding how others have replaced theirs to save you from having to figure it out yourself.

 

[SkooterG]

I say NO. You do not have re-pack the steering head bearings if everything is ok.

 

[Fred W]

I say NO. You do not have re-pack the steering head bearings if everything is ok.

+1 - I agree. If they are OK, keep riding on them.

When they cease to be OK, replace them with "All Balls" roller bearings.

The only reason to go through the shuck and jive preventive maintenance of regreasing is if you intend to try and make them last forever. If you take the (sage) advice that it is better to just replace them with roller bearings, why bother with the maintenance. Just wait till the crap out and replace them then.

 

[dbvolfan]

+1. Had two different Yammi dealers tell me it wasnt worth doing them if there wasnt anything wrong with them. and I had gone in ASKING them to repack them and both suggested it wasnt necessary. I figure they check out just fine so I aint messing with them, and I am now at 27k miels.

 

[Timbo2015]

I did mine when I changed my fork oil at around 20,000 miles. It was a waste of time. Everything looked perfect. There was plenty of clean grease on it. I probably did more harm than good by opening it up and potentially allowing dirt to get in. Until you open it, you won't know for sure. Having done it once, I now know the bearings are properly packed with grease. I don't intend to do it again. I will just replace the bearings if they ever fail.

 

[FJRMGM]

I wouldn't even consider doing the service until 30,000 miles.

Mine looked good at nearly 40k miles.

 

[johnny80s]

How do you know if they are bad? Does it get hard to steer or does it shake?

 

[radman]

How do you know if they are bad? Does it get hard to steer or does it shake?

They don't go bad-they stay perfect. Forever.

 

[Fred W]

How do you know if they are bad? Does it get hard to steer or does it shake?

They don't go bad-they stay perfect. Forever.

Haha.. Yeah and I have some great waterfront property in Florida I'd like to sell you...

When the bearing wear you'll get symptoms of loose head bearings. Clunking when going over small bumps, etc. When you tighten them up to account for the wear the steering can become notchy because small detents have been worn in the bearing race(s) where the balls had spent most of their lives. You can also encourage the race wear by over torquing the bearings.

 

[johnny80s]

Thanks Fred.

 

[Mike P]

When the bearing wear you'll get symptoms of loose head bearings. Clunking when going over small bumps, etc.

Does that actually mean they are bad or could possibly be out of torque spec? I've read several threads where owners have found theirs loose very early on. Mine has a small clunk now at 9k.

 

[Fred W]

When the bearing wear you'll get symptoms of loose head bearings. Clunking when going over small bumps, etc.

Does that actually mean they are bad or could possibly be out of torque spec? I've read several threads where owners have found theirs loose very early on. Mine has a small clunk now at 9k.

Many come too loose from the factory, so looseness does not mean they have worn. But if you adjust them correctly and then find the steering is notchy, then they are worn.

 

[flynbulldog1]

Could someone please describe how to adjust the steering head bearings?

Thanks

 

[Fred W]

Could someone please describe how to adjust the steering head bearings?Thanks

No doubt someone could.

Try here: linky

For future common queries you may want to check this FAQ first:

1st Gen FAQ

 

[Bounce]

do the steering head service yourself. it's easy and can be done (along with torquing) in about an hour (set up to clean up).

https://www.fjr-tips.org/maint/shb/shb.html

oops! fred beat me to it and hid it in his link.