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Buell Forum » XBoard » Buell XBoard Archives » Archive through November 30, 2008 » Steering head bearings in cold weather « Previous Next »

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Jeffroj
Posted on Friday, November 21, 2008 - 12:52 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Since it has gotten cold out, my steering head bearings have been making the snap sound when I come to a stop. Last week I retorqued the cap nut by the book, took my bike in to the dealer to get the rocker gaskets replaced, got my bike back and it was doing it again. So last night I retorqued everything again, by the book. It was good last night in the garage, but this morning on my ride to work, mid 30's, it started making the snap noise again.

So, to all you brave guys that are riding through the winter like I am, are you experiencing this also?

Is the temp causing stuff to shrink, and creating play in the steering head? This being normal?

Or do I need to replace the bearings?
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Skinstains
Posted on Friday, November 21, 2008 - 01:40 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I'm a "Rounder" in north jersey but have never experienced this ?
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Jos51700
Posted on Friday, November 21, 2008 - 04:08 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

It's usually the forks, transmitting noise through the trees. Fork oil gets a little thicker, and, for what ever reason, they pop once in awhile.
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Jeffroj
Posted on Friday, November 21, 2008 - 05:05 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

This isn't once in a while this is whenever I come to a stop slightly hard. When I torque the cap nut to spec, it's good, but when I take it for a ride the next day, it comes back. It's definitely play with the bearings, but if it's just the temp or I need new bearings, I don't know.
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Akbuell
Posted on Saturday, November 22, 2008 - 11:56 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Were it my bike, this would bother me A LOT!

The outside temp shouldn't, IMHO, make difference. The fact that it is good for a short while after a re-torque, then comes back tells me that something is moving.

I would pull it apart (or have the dealer do it re warranty) and carefully inspect the bearings for condition, make sure they are seated properly in the frame, and inspect the steering stem/lower triple tree. I would also look at the threads in the cap nut to make sure they are OK.
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