ksv Posted January 13, 2022 Report Share Posted January 13, 2022 Another newbie question. I've never changed steering head bearings before. Any tips / procedure for doing these? I've got the new bearings, just want to know if I need any specific tools / things to look out for before I start stripping the front end. Bike is a 2020 GP 300 if that makes any difference. Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teamferret Posted January 13, 2022 Report Share Posted January 13, 2022 The normal practice is to weld a piece of flat pate across the bearing. They will normally fall out or can be easily tapped out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stpauls Posted January 13, 2022 Report Share Posted January 13, 2022 (edited) I would recommend duck and orange pate from Aldi. You can use a welder but I find a pop-up toaster works just as well. Edited January 13, 2022 by stpauls Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
faussy Posted January 13, 2022 Report Share Posted January 13, 2022 (edited) Why are you needing to change the headstock bearings on a 2 year old bike?! Would be very surprised if you need to replace the outer races Edited January 13, 2022 by faussy 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b40rt Posted January 13, 2022 Report Share Posted January 13, 2022 1 hour ago, faussy said: Why are you needing to change the headstock bearings on a 2 year old bike?! Would be very surprised if you need to replace the outer races Pressure washers ...... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ksv Posted January 13, 2022 Author Report Share Posted January 13, 2022 (edited) Previous owner was too handy with a pressure washer i think. After it was stood a month the bearings had seized. They freed off enough to ride but aren't smooth now. I'm hoping I can just replace the inner race when I open it up as that should help. But as I have the full bearing I may as well do it properly. Just need to know how to get the outer race out? Edited January 14, 2022 by ksv 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
totty79 Posted January 13, 2022 Report Share Posted January 13, 2022 Seats just tap out from behind with a long drift. Try to keep it square as you do it. Lower bearing can be a pain to get off the stem, it's not always needed but it's common to cut the old one. Leave the new bearing seats and stem in the freezer overnight to help with reassembly. Also check dimensions of bearings, seals and spacers against the old ones before reassembly, aftermarket kits don't always get it right. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cascao Posted January 14, 2022 Report Share Posted January 14, 2022 (edited) For lower bearing, best find someone with a press. It need 3 to 6 ton to move. See process here: https://flic.kr/p/2jhxS16 Or you can cut the bearing with a dremel. Be carefull to not damage the stem Or you can weld some scrap metal to the beaging race and hammer it while hot. Any method, take care of the threads on stem. Outer races go out easily with a long chisel. Edited January 14, 2022 by cascao 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richt Posted January 14, 2022 Report Share Posted January 14, 2022 I used a piece of tube to fit over the stem to knock the lower bearing on. Be sure the tube only contacts the bearing race and not the roller cage. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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