SuzukiSavage.com - Print Page

SuzukiSavage.com
/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl
General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> Steering Stem - bearing outer race removal
/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1648497104

Message started by youzguyz on 03/28/22 at 12:51:44

Title: Steering Stem - bearing outer race removal
Post by youzguyz on 03/28/22 at 12:51:44

Poor old Thumper..
Steering was binding off and on. Dug into it and pulled the steering stem. Bearing are bone dry and probably shot.
The outer race on the lower bearing has a wear pattern that concerns me. Shallow grooves. Kinda of like wavy.
Clymers says there is a special tool for pulling that race out (09941-54913 or 09941-54911).. or you can pound it out.
Just asking to see if anybody here has experience on getting that thing out of the steering head.
Thanks! :D

Title: Re: Steering Stem - bearing outer race removal
Post by TheSneeze on 03/28/22 at 13:54:58

Carefully weld about a 3/4" bead across the face of the bearing, being careful to only weld on the bearing. The weld contraction will shrink the diameter and it will fall out.

Title: Re: Steering Stem - bearing outer race removal
Post by youzguyz on 03/28/22 at 14:09:35

4D5277707A737F6C751E0 wrote:

Carefully weld about a 3/4" bead across the face of the bearing, being careful to only weld on the bearing. The weld contraction will shrink the diameter and it will fall out.

Well.. I don't have a welder.. and it's the bearing race, not the bearing itself. The race is pressed into the steering head (maybe I'm using the wrong term.. the part of the frame that the steering stem slides into. Should have said neck instead of head?)
Found a puller at a not too bad price.. so, we will see if it works.
https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B00BVL80JA?psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&ref_=chk_typ_imgToDp

Title: Re: Steering Stem - bearing outer race removal
Post by sandmanred on 03/28/22 at 14:51:23

I used a piece of 3/8 aluminum rod about 10 inches long. It's been awhile since I did it but you might have to bevel/bend the end of it a bit to catch the inner lip of the races. Do the top one from below and the bottom one from above. Work your way around the race so it travels more or less evenly on the way out. It will still come out if it goes wonky but it's more likely to take some of the ID of the head tube if it does.

Title: Re: Steering Stem - bearing outer race removal
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 03/28/22 at 15:38:28

A bench grinder and a good piece of steel, even if it Is a punch, you can cut a flat spot and leave a bit of a finger goin past the flat. Design it to fit on the race and stay out of the bikes frame. If you have a dremel and right accessories, you Can cut the race, but it's gonna take forever.
Cutting the flat, look at the angle your punch needs to be at to get the Foot on the top of that race close. And absolutely work across the diameter, keeping it level. It'll stop moving if it gets cocked crooked.

Title: Re: Steering Stem - bearing outer race removal - D
Post by youzguyz on 03/29/22 at 10:34:28

Get the right tool.. does the job right. This one was worth the money. I will just grease up the new race and whap it in with a wood block

Title: Re: Steering Stem - bearing outer race removal
Post by youzguyz on 03/29/22 at 10:35:24

Yep.. those grooves would probably have been trouble.

Title: Re: Steering Stem - bearing outer race removal
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 03/29/22 at 12:07:19

Where did you get that tool?
What did it cost?
Well, SURE! It's NOT that bad of a job if you have the right tools.
We were trying to help you rednekk it!
Good goin..

Title: Re: Steering Stem - bearing outer race removal
Post by youzguyz on 03/29/22 at 12:23:53

2F3036312C2B1A2A1A22303C77450 wrote:

Where did you get that tool?
What did it cost?
Well, SURE! It's NOT that bad of a job if you have the right tools.
We were trying to help you rednekk it!
Good goin..

Clickety link is up above. Duplicated here for those that hate to scroll..

https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B00BVL80JA?psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&ref_=chk_typ_imgToDp

Title: Re: Steering Stem - bearing outer race removal
Post by TheSneeze on 03/29/22 at 13:15:14

Glad you found the right tool. Much cheaper than buying a MIG welder! Since I have a welder, my suggestion worked for me without having to buy that tool.

[quote]Well.. I don't have a welder.. and it's the bearing race, not the bearing itself. [quote/]

I was referring to the face of the race, where your wear marks are. A weld bead around 3/4" long across that face will shrink the diameter when it cools, releasing the press fit. Moot point, didn't think you might not have a welder.

Title: Re: Steering Stem - bearing outer race removal
Post by SpamyToo on 03/29/22 at 13:26:28

Nice work. I think most of us thought your were talking about the race on the stem. That one is usually a pain.

The one in the frame is easy peasy usually.

Title: Re: Steering Stem - bearing outer race removal
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 03/29/22 at 15:44:36

I'm thinking he's wanting the one on the stem off,also.

Title: Re: Steering Stem - bearing outer race removal
Post by TheSneeze on 03/29/22 at 21:16:34

Always replace as a set.

Title: Re: Steering Stem - bearing outer race removal
Post by DragBikeMike on 03/29/22 at 22:19:06

That is a sweet tool Youzguyz, thanks for sharing the link. So how many miles did you squeeze outa dat set of bearings? Ever had them opened up before this?

Title: Re: Steering Stem - bearing outer race removal
Post by youzguyz on 03/30/22 at 03:01:30

17111E62606763530 wrote:

That is a sweet tool Youzguyz, thanks for sharing the link. So how many miles did you squeeze outa dat set of bearings? Ever had them opened up before this?

222,674 miles now. It started acting up a while ago though.

First time I have had that opened up. (The only "preventative" maintenance I do is the oil.. when I think of it..)

As you can see in the picture.. kinda nasty.

I bought a "gently used" triple from ebay with risers, bearings, everything.

I'll replace the top bearing with the new one I'm getting as part of a set, and probably just grease up the lower bearing if it looks good.
Should be here today or tomorrow.

Title: Re: Steering Stem - bearing outer race removal
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 03/30/22 at 09:59:34

Thanks,, yeah, I'm sticking with my collection of heavy metal. I get in too much of a bind and I'm not above shaping up and piece of sucker rod and welding it on an old air chisel tool..for a race, but pulling a pressed on bearing? I don't have the right stuff. When I was helping a friend with rear wheel bearings on his Explorer we took it to a mechanic, he blew the seal on the pump,then went to a machine shop. Everyone was watching the pressure building, the guy kept adding to it. When it finally let go the floor, the press, everyone,, jumped. I'm never going to own equipment for that.

Title: Re: Steering Stem - bearing outer race removal
Post by DragBikeMike on 03/31/22 at 00:47:30

Youzguyz, only 222K? That's all you got out of those rollers? They just don't make em like they used to. I guess maybe if you gave em a dollop of grease at like 200K they might have gone the distance. 8-)

Seriously, that's some impressive mileage man. You are definitely gettin your nickle's worth. Where in the world do you ride that thing? I assume it must be your daily driver. Do you live in a warm climate?

Title: Re: Steering Stem - bearing outer race removal
Post by youzguyz on 03/31/22 at 02:00:41

4D4B44383A3D39090 wrote:

Thanks for the kind words Mike! :D
My goal is to see how far this thing will go.. if I live that long!

"New" Triple T came in yesterday. Looks pretty good!

I live in San Antonio, TX, which year round riding. (Sometimes pretty durned cold and other times dang awfull hot, but tolerable).
I don't commute to work, and when I did, it was only 5 miles. Most of my riding is on the weekends. A bit more lately as I now have afternoons off.. sometimes. And just day rides, as I have to be home at night.
And all in the Texas Hill Country. Speaking of which, the great Texas Savage Gathering is on for 04/17 to 04/23. Should be a HOOT!! Guess you making it would be .. difficult. Honolulu..
I was there in the Navy (Barbers Point).. and rode a .. get this.. Suzuki Savage!!! OK, back then it was a 250cc 2 stroke, the TS250. Lots of fun going around Kaena Point! :D

Title: Re: Steering Stem - bearing outer race removal
Post by DragBikeMike on 04/02/22 at 11:01:29

Those must be some major league rides in The Hill Country.

I was stationed in your hometown when I was in the USAF (1967). Basic training. Needless to say, I didn't get to see San Antonio, and certainly couldn't have ever afforded a motorcycle ($90 bucks a month pay). Had the good fortune to return about 15 years ago. We had a wonderful time touring TX (in a Hyundai). I am envious as The Hill Country looked to be a great place for some super-fun cruising on two wheels.

No more off-roading around Kaena point. It's a wildlife sanctuary now. You can still go out there but only on foot. All sorts of sea birds, turtles, and monk seals. Much nicer. I'm glad they closed it off to vehicles. The big 4-wheelers, quads, and dirt-bikes were wrecking it up pretty good.

I am sorely impressed with your mileage. I can see how you can rack up the digits on your odometer. TX is wide open, and the climate is temperate. Those roads out in the Hill Country are just right for a Savage. Hope you all have a wonderful time on the Great Texas Savage Gathering.

Your new triple tree looks perfect. A little grease and you're ready to rock-n-roll.