Replacing steering head bearings K75?

[MUSICMAN]

I've had a front end wobble for awhile ( 1,000 miles), I checked the balance of my tire again and it's dead on. I had adjusted the steering head, but that only worked a little better, forks were rebuilt 4,000 miles ago, I adjusted the rear shock.....helped a tiny bit, but through all this the bike still wobbled around 40-55mph, enough is enough.

Tonight I took the steering stem out (93 K75.... 70,000 miles).

Having never done steering head bearings I have some questions.

After I removed the shocks I moved the the upper clamp back and forth and could feel notchiness.....

When I removed the adjuster nut the top bearing came out with it, how do I remove the bearing?

Do I really need a press to remove the lower bearing?
Maybe I should take the lower clamp to the dealers and let them deal with it?

Do new races come with the bearings?

My bearings don't feel notchy when I turn them by hand but I did notice the top race has dark lines running vertically around the race. I'm assuming that means they're bad and I've done the right thing by taking it all apart!?

My book says to remove the races by using a block of wood and a hamer, any other tricks?

I do have the fluid damper, should I bother taking it out too, is there any way to check it?

Thanks for any and all help with this!

Andy

 

[deilenberger]

I've had a front end wobble for awhile ( 1,000 miles), I checked the balance of my tire again and it's dead on. I had adjusted the steering head, but that only worked a little better, forks were rebuilt 4,000 miles ago, I adjusted the rear shock.....helped a tiny bit, but through all this the bike still wobbled around 40-55mph, enough is enough.

Tonight I took the steering stem out (93 K75.... 70,000 miles).

Having never done steering head bearings I have some questions.

After I removed the shocks I moved the the upper clamp back and forth and could feel notchiness.....

Bearings are shot

When I removed the adjuster nut the top bearing came out with it, how do I remove the bearing?

Dunno... never had that happen, but I'd bet it's just stuck to it.

Do I really need a press to remove the lower bearing?

It makes it easier - although the way a dealer does it and some people do it differs. Some people split the bottom race to get it off the stem. A dealer presses the stem out of the triple-tree clamp and then presses the race off the stem.

Maybe I should take the lower clamp to the dealers and let them deal with it?

Not a bad idea.. you've done most of the grunt work - taking it apart, I wouldn't think more than an hour labor to R&R the bottom bearing.

Do new races come with the bearings?

Yes - they come as a matched set.

My bearings don't feel notchy when I turn them by hand but I did notice the top race has dark lines running vertically around the race. I'm assuming that means they're bad and I've done the right thing by taking it all apart!?

Bearings are shot - you did the right thing.

My book says to remove the races by using a block of wood and a hamer, any other tricks?

What book?

I do have the fluid damper, should I bother taking it out too, is there any way to check it?

You have to make sure the damper is in the right position on reasembly and captured by the long screw that pierces it. If it was me - I'd also "recharge" it with some of the special silicone grease BMW sells for it.

Thanks for any and all help with this!

Andy

 

[MUSICMAN]

doing the right thing

Hey Don good to hear from you, been awhile and I appreciatte all the help you have given me over the years with my K bike!


"Bearings are shot - you did the right thing."
Quote:
My book says to remove the races by using a block of wood and a hammer, any other tricks?

"What book?"

I 'm using my Clymer manual, they say to use a piece of wood and soft hammer to remove races. I noticed IBMWR has some interesting info in the K bike tech articles to remove them, I think I'll try the info using the washers and bolts.

Tony at Max BMW was very helpful when I took the stem in today, said the work would be an hour at most to remove the old bearing and repack and fit a new one with a new dust seal. The method they prefer is to cut the old bearing out in a series of angled cuts.

To remove the races he usually welds a piece of metal to the race and then hammers it out.

Glad I brought the stem in ...Knowing my limitations is a good thing!

Andy