Steering Stem Bearing Replacement

Lillefty27
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Lillefty27
Hey folks, was wondering if anyone had any tips or tricks when it comes to replacing steering stem bearings.

What I am most worried about is replacing the races into the steering head tube. I am not quite sure how to get the bottom race seated in correctly while my bike is on the stand. Will I be able to tap it in while its upside down (swinging a hammer/mallet upwards)? Just seems awkward.

I have a pretty budget setup as far as tools come. I know I should probably purchase a smaller torch to help with heating surfaces, and maybe some sort of rod so I can try to pound off the old bottom stem bearing and the old races from the head tube.

Thanks in advance
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PC
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PC 9/1/2022 7:37am
9/1/2022 7:37am
Drive out the old races with a long punch and hammer. Now, you can either buy a race/seal driver and use the correct size driver to pound the new races all the way in OR drive the races as far in as you can with a block of wood then use a brass punch & hammer to finish the job. The brass wont damage the race surface fyi.

Either way is easy and I've never felt the need to apply heat.
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Factor E
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Factor E 9/1/2022 7:53am
9/1/2022 7:53am
Use old races on top of new
hammer on the old races
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motoracer58
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motoracer58 9/1/2022 11:37am
9/1/2022 11:37am
freezing the new races and heating up the head tube will help also, not saying get the head tube cherry red but even a heat gun on it will help
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Rider 5280
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Rider 5280 9/1/2022 12:17pm
9/1/2022 12:17pm Edited Date/Time 9/1/2022 12:23pm
I'd take your lower triple clamp/stem/bearing assembly to a machine shop and just have them press the stem out, then press the stem back onto a new lower seal + bearing.

When I do this in my shop it takes 15 minutes total. So assuming ~ 15m for a $150/hour shop = ~ $40. To me that would be worth it.

If you're not already, learn how to change tires/tubes yourself to save $$$ for the times when precision "help" is needed (like this, IMO). Hammers are not for jobs like this ... again, IMO.
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MotoCoUSA
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MotoCoUSA 9/1/2022 12:22pm
9/1/2022 12:22pm
Rider 5280 wrote:
I'd take your lower triple clamp/stem/bearing assembly to a machine shop and just have them press the stem out, then press the stem back onto a...
I'd take your lower triple clamp/stem/bearing assembly to a machine shop and just have them press the stem out, then press the stem back onto a new lower seal + bearing.

When I do this in my shop it takes 15 minutes total. So assuming ~ 15m for a $150/hour shop = ~ $40. To me that would be worth it.

If you're not already, learn how to change tires/tubes yourself to save $$$ for the times when precision "help" is needed (like this, IMO). Hammers are not for jobs like this ... again, IMO.
+1 on this, literally just did this today. Everything else you can do yourself quite easily, just make sure you pack them bearings properly.
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JMCR250
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JMCR250 9/1/2022 2:35pm
9/1/2022 2:35pm
^^ Agree. The cost to have this done is less than the proper tools will set you back.

I've owned and raced mx bikes since '75. This year was the first time I had to replace bearings/races on my 05 CR250.

Rocky Mtn ATV has a good how to video on how to replace steering head bearings and races.
2
Lillefty27
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Lillefty27 9/14/2022 7:24am
9/14/2022 7:24am
Thanks everyone. I am confident I can get the job done with the science of heating and cooling. And caveman brain with hammer Silly
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wwdiii
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wwdiii 9/14/2022 8:37am
9/14/2022 8:37am
Factor E wrote:
Use old races on top of new
hammer on the old races
This, it what I’ve done with bearings of all types.
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Electro21
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Electro21 9/18/2022 7:50pm
9/18/2022 7:50pm
I had a hard time tonight getting the races in with the OEM race install tool. I couldn’t get the races to go in straight. Ended up using a hammer on the the race tool to seat them flush.

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