Steering stem nut alignment - is this correct?

[dcarver]

Removing upper triple clamp from Naomi - As Found condition.. OEM from factory.

Is this correct? Does not seem right that gap exists between upper nut and lower nut.

Then again, when the upper clamp is tensioned, the upper nut is fixed and via the tanged washer, so is the lower nut?

 

[FJRay]

I think there is an O ring between them and the upper one is just finger tight and aligned for the lock ring.

 

[Mr. BR]

Yup, you appear to be missing the rubber O-ring that sits between the stem nuts (it actually has a square cross section).

Here's a picture....

Mr. BR

(edit: just found your other thread... the rubber washer IS there... just hard to see in your picture above.. and the gap IS correct).

 

[Luis]

I just did my whole entire steering stem this last weekend. I re packed all the bearings and all that and I concur...that o ring is in deed in there and the gap seems correct

 

[Bounce]

I think there is an O ring between them and the upper one is just finger tight and aligned for the lock ring.

Not so much an o-ring as a flat rubber "washer". It adds a little friction and the clip some mechanical "locking" between the 2 nuts. If you read through the torquing process below (summary table at the bottom) you'll see that there's very little torque on the top castle nut. It's mean only to keep the lower one from backing out.

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

 

[Fred W]

Actually, it's the clip that keeps the bottom castle from moving and backing out. The upper castle nut is there to give you something to tighten the top stem nut against (to 85 ft-lb) without messing up the lower castle's bearing preload setting, and it clamps the clip from moving, which holds the bottom castle in place.

The rubber ring is just a spacer for assembly. Doesn't really do much of anything.