All balls stem bearings

[devon]

Hey guys so just got a set of tapered stem bearings for my 78 cb400t and a few things aren't making sense.

First off, this business doesn't seem to separate, do I need to cut it off? Didn't wanna wreck something by forcing it.


If it doesn't come off then this is how it sits:

Which just doesn't seem right to me..

The top seems pretty self explanatory but if you wouldn't min having a look:

And with the tensioner:

Thanks a ton guys,
Devon

 

[devon]

Ya that's definitely not right, I shouldn't be able to do this:

 

[locOleoN]

Yep, that bottom piece has to come off it's for the lower ball bearings..
Try heating it up with a torch..

 

[YogiBear]

you could also very carefully cut it off, just don't damage the stem.

 

[AlphaDogChoppers]

What Leon said.
I just did the All Balls tapered bearing upgrade on a CB650SC a few days ago. Yes, the lower race for the original bearing has to come off. You can sometimes get a sharp cold chisel under it to walk it up. A little heat often helps. I use an acetylene torch. It heats up the race quickly so that it gets hot before the heat has a chance to transfer to the stem.

I also tapped a hole in the side of the steering stem on the frame, and put a zerk fitting in it. Now the stem gets filled completely with marine grease, and a little shot of grease once a year keeps the bearings free of water and contaminants.

 

[devon]

THanks guys, initially I tried boiling it for 15 min or so but that didn't work so my next thought was it was permanently attached.

I'll try torchin first then cutting.

Thanks again,
Devon 8)

neat idea with the grease alphadog!

 

[AlphaDogChoppers]

I get that from working on Harleys. Most Harleys have a zerk fitting in the steering stem. Seems like a good idea, so I always install one when I service steering stem bearings.

 

[Tim]

I've seen people put a section of plastic pipe around the stem and then fill the neck with grease. Not sure what the purpose of the pipe was aside from saving a bit of grease?

 

[AlphaDogChoppers]

That would be the reason.
It takes about 1/2 to 3/4 of a tube of grease to fill up a steering stem. Never occurred to me to put a piece of PVC in there to take up room.

 

[Tim]

Might even be lighter too - there's newer black ABS piping up here (drain pipes for home plumbing) that is aerated - full of tiny air bubbles. Very light weight, easy to cut and work with. I hate it Searched out the good old fashioned heavy solid stuff for my last plumbing project a few weeks ago in the basement. Just doing it to reduce the material needed and reduce shipping weights. All good stuff but it feels flimsy.

Anyhow - seen the pipe thing done. Not sure it's worth it in the end. Will def drill and tap my head tube for a zerk.

 

[AlphaDogChoppers]

I don't think I'd want a piece of pipe interfering with getting the stem filled up with grease. Grease is pretty cheap.

 

[Staffy]

Stick the whole thing in the freezer overnight then try drifting it off from behind. If you need to heat up the race once it comes out the freezer.