Steering head bearings

Firefly3223 · Ped boi Joined: 28 Dec 2009 Posts: 4 Location: Bristol

Hi guys,

Its almost MOT time for my old '95 ZX6R, and last time round it got an advisory slightly stiff steering movement. I didnt do many miles last year and it still feels ok to me, but at the time the garage said it might cost~Â£500 to do the steering head bearings, does this sound reasonable? if so how hard a job is it to do myself? and does it require loads of 'special' tools?

Cheers in advance

Adam

speedy(delboy) · Posted: Thu Mar 04, 2010 1:37 am Post subject:

Â£500 squid, thier having a right laugh.

I used to charge around Â£80 (absolute max was (Â£130) and that included the bearings, when I was running the breakers and services centre.

Its fairly easy, but like everything you do for the first time, it can be daunting. The whole front end comes out in one piece, so no need to take everything off, obviously except the clip on's etc etc.

What bike is it being done on ?

KITT · Posted: Thu Mar 04, 2010 10:03 am Post subject:

Don't know where you are but try getting a price from Morpheus motorcycles in Kingswood, sorted a few of us out. Their listed in the trusted supplies section.

john silva · Posted: Thu Mar 04, 2010 10:48 am Post subject: Re: Steering head bearings

Gazdaman · Posted: Thu Mar 04, 2010 12:04 pm Post subject:

Â£500! Dear god!

I paid Â£18 for a new set of bearings and did it myself in about an hour.
Get a ratchet strap around the frame, jack up the front of the bike.

Brake calipers off the forks, front wheel off.

Slide each fork leg out.

Undo the top bolt holding the top yoke on. Take the top yoke off.
Then bottom yoke and steering head will slide out downwards.

Replace bearings (and cups). Then do em all back up again.

Â£500 is an absolute piss take, I'd name and shame!

Gaz

speedy(delboy) · Posted: Thu Mar 04, 2010 3:49 pm Post subject:

Trumf Trip · I can get my knee down! Joined: 25 Aug 2008 Posts: 281

See if you can get a second opinion before striping the whole lot down. Bearings may just need greasing & not replacing. Most common problem is the bearings becoming slack & then over tightened, this can indent the bearing races & the steering becomes notchy. A symptom of over tight head bearings is at low speed the bike feels as if it is trying to do fig8's, a very weird feeling the first time you experience it Laughing

enigma · 100% Egonigma Joined: 30 Apr 2006 Posts: 1921

I'd be tempted to go for an MOT first esp if you think it's fine. CMT at Coalpit Heath are one of BB faves, a sound operator and if it really needs doing he'd be honest about it.

bulldog · Posted: Thu Mar 04, 2010 5:34 pm Post subject:

Firefly3223 · Ped boi Joined: 28 Dec 2009 Posts: 4 Location: Bristol

Cheers guys, that estimate was from somewhere up north where I just popped in to get the MOT done, dont think he really wanted to do it though!

I'm based in North Bristol, Pete Robson Motorcycles has been recommended so will put it through the MOT and see if it gets picked up.

bulldog · Posted: Thu Mar 04, 2010 10:42 pm Post subject:

I'd say pete robson will be more strict over your mot, and CMT is between yate and coalpit heath, not far to go but could be worth the extra couple of miles. Cool