Steering Head Bearings... (Again!)

[BanjoBoy]

I'm think'in I may need to check my steering head barrings. The manual says 37 lbs. then 13 lbs. I checked 'em last night with a spanner, and they seem OK, but my front end still has a squirrely feel to it at low speeds. (I just had to guess at the torque.)

I have a new front Avon Storm II with 39 psi. I did the Haul'in Ashe suspension settings. (And they work great, thanks Mr. Ashe) I can't feel any discernable play in the front end.

I might have to break down and buy the special Yamaha steering head barring tool? (Gulp!) Has anyone bought one? Where's the best place to buy one?

How much are they, and is there any other alternative? I was looking at these gems, https://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153...&sName=Sockets&prdNo=2&blockNo=2&blockType=G2https://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00947078000P?vName=Tools&cName=Auto+%26+Mechanics+Tools&sName=Sockets&prdNo=2&blockNo=2&blockType=G2 but they're not big enough.

Thanks in advance. :specool:

 

[S76]

Did the problem start when you put the new tire on?

Avon has had issues with quality control on many of their tires, especially the fronts.

I would not be heading for the steering bearings first, especially since you say you cannot percieve any play.

My money's on a bad tire.

FWIW

 

[Bounce]

I'm think'in I may need to check my steering head barrings. The manual says 37 lbs. then 13 lbs. I checked 'em last night with a spanner, and they seem OK, but my front end still has a squirrely feel to it at low speeds. (I just had to guess at the torque.)

ooops, so you DIDN'T torque it, you SWAGd it.

I might have to break down and buy the special Yamaha steering head barring tool? (Gulp!) Has anyone bought one? Where's the best place to buy one?How much are they, and is there any other alternative? I was looking at these gems, https://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153...Mechanics+Tools&sName=Sockets&prdNo=2&blockNohttps://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00947078000P?vName=Tools&cName=Auto+%26+Mechanics+Tools&sName=Sockets&prdNo=2&blockNo 2&blockType=G2 but they're not big enough.

considering what it costs to have the shop do it, the spanner is cheap and more than pays for itself with 1 session. there's also a local FJR Forum guy who is making a castle nut socket that is tres manifique! do a search on the forum to find it.

get a good torque wrench and service the steering head instead of just slamming it with a guess.

i'm confused about how they can "seem okay" when you state very specific torque numbers and then say you guessed.

in the mean time... check out the details here:

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

it really is simple.

and, like was mentioned, my one experience with Avon was a sub-standard one. since i've never had that out-of-round problem with Bridgestone, Micheline, or Dunlop, i've not been back to Avon.

 

[BanjoBoy]

Did the problem start when you put the new tire on? Yes!
Avon has had issues with quality control on many of their tires, especially the fronts.

I would not be heading for the steering bearings first, especially since you say you cannot percieve any play.

My money's on a bad tire.

FWIW

This is actually my 2nd front, the first one was bad for sure, (It wobbled in right hand turns) so I made the shop get me another one. I figured what are the odds of getting two bogus tires? (Pretty good if they're Avons! )I've always heard bad things about Avons, but have gone through about 10 sets in the last 10 years and have liked them. (I really like the way they turn in.)

I'm think'in I may need to check my steering head barrings. The manual says 37 lbs. then 13 lbs. I checked 'em last night with a spanner, and they seem OK, but my front end still has a squirrely feel to it at low speeds. (I just had to guess at the torque.)

ooops, so you DIDN'T torque it, you SWAGd it. Well, I did use a spanner (As opposed to the old hammer and screw driver trick) but I could only guestimate the torque.

I might have to break down and buy the special Yamaha steering head barring tool? (Gulp!) Has anyone bought one? Where's the best place to buy one?How much are they, and is there any other alternative? I was looking at these gems, https://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153...Mechanics+Tools&sName=Sockets&prdNo=2&blockNohttps://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00947078000P?vName=Tools&cName=Auto+%26+Mechanics+Tools&sName=Sockets&prdNo=2&blockNo 2&blockType=G2 but they're not big enough.

considering what it costs to have the shop do it, the spanner is cheap and more than pays for itself with 1 session. there's also a local FJR Forum guy who is making a castle nut socket that is tres manifique! do a search on the forum to find it. Cool, I'll check 'em out.

get a good torque wrench and service the steering head instead of just slamming it with a guess. OK, OK, OK, but it's hard, cheapness is a disease I have!

i'm confused about how they can "seem okay" when you state very specific torque numbers and then say you guessed.

in the mean time... check out the details here:

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

it really is simple. Thanks for the link, I have no trouble rebuilding front ends, dun it many a time.

and, like was mentioned, my one experience with Avon was a sub-standard one. since i've never had that out-of-round problem with Bridgestone, Micheline, or Dunlop, i've not been back to Avon. See above. I've actually had good luck with Avons, (I like the way they turn in and usually get around 7,000 mi out of 'em) until now. I've had a couple bogus Dunlops in the past, so I've avoided them. Bridgestone ST tires are fine, but when they wear they seem to lose grip and the sport tires don't get good millage. The PRII are good, but the front turns in slow. (Until I wear it pointy) This has been my experiences with these brands, YMMV

Thanks for the advise

 

[RsvlFeej]

I might have to break down and buy the special Yamaha steering head barring tool? (Gulp!) Has anyone bought one? Where's the best place to buy one?How much are they, and is there any other alternative? I was looking at these gems, https://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153...Mechanics+Tools&sName=Sockets&prdNo=2&blockNohttps://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00947078000P?vName=Tools&cName=Auto+%26+Mechanics+Tools&sName=Sockets&prdNo=2&blockNo 2&blockType=G2 but they're not big enough.

considering what it costs to have the shop do it, the spanner is cheap and more than pays for itself with 1 session. there's also a local FJR Forum guy who is making a castle nut socket that is tres manifique! do a search on the forum to find it. Cool, I'll check 'em out.

BanjoBoy, I've got one of those Just roy Steering head sockets and am only a couple hours from you. Want to come grab it? I'm not planning to use it anytime soon.