Steering Stem Bearing Replacement

Should the lower head stem bearing hv a little play ?  I,m thinking not .  I got hyper head shake whipping 30 times at once & flew into the weeds in 4th wo.  Other times like a 6-8  times . Hit a rock 1/4 size of a football it whipped the bars.  I took it apart I can move the bearing up& down a little bit.  I had much worse bearings b4 but this was bad .  I usually hv it tight where I hv to push on the bars . I haven’t greased it in a while but just did finished in the dark.  I can get the bearing tighter than 05-07 cr that’s why I like it .  It never gets head shake usually. I let 2 guys pass I just wanted to ride it in.   Lot of rain though out the night , I didn’t think they woukd race.  I skipped practice actually I got there late & didn’t walk the track . Up hill start I never saw a gate drop so fast . I was getting the bike in gear & there gone . The 1st turn my pulled groin hurt bad & other things.   The biggest hill drop rt after the start I landed off to the rt on the steep bank that goes a few ft up to the grass . I held it wo I got lucky there.  Last place start all 4 motos 2nd races where dusty.  It was fun racing racing to catch up & race .  30&50+ same gate drop the 30+ guys r easier to pass . A couple motos we had a fun dice 5 of us real close but where loosing time to the leaders. I cut inside brake slide the rear AX style quick bike it pulled the 4-st off corners . I had to slam the brakes on not to hit dudes .   50 bucks unlimited classes but there is only 1 race between. Just a fun race beats just riding .  Get the helmet off drink water quick & go race again .  Soaking wet sweating  , leg cramps real bad .  

There's so many tips and tricks to do this. I used to use a torch to heat things, now I rely on a heat gun. The heat gun won't damage any paint, and you can set it up, and walk away for  5 minutes to let it do its job. Put the races in the freezer. Use a dead blow hammer, or the old race as a buffer when striking it.

For putting the new bearing onto the steering shaft, put the entire shaft (lower clamp+ shaft) into the freezer for 45 minutes. At the 35 minute mark put a heat gun onto the bearing. At the 45 minute mark take the shaft/triple-clamp out, grab a pair of pliers, and drop the new bearing onto the shaft. DO NOT FORGET TO PUT THE DUST SEAL ON FIRST THOUGH!!!!! The bearing will fall all the way down into place every time.

Should I be able to lift the bearing a little ?  I took it apart finished in the dark .  

I like to properly pack the bottom bearing before putting it on the stem.  I imagine blasting a properly packed bearing with a heat gun for 10 minutes isn't ideal.

Pack it when it's in the stem. I hate having to use a driver on anything.