Stem bearing insert opinion.

Skyguyz · Dec 16, 2011

OK, so I don't want to just pound the steering head bearings in place, (non-tapered) into my stem. I don't own a press and need some advice to make it as pain free as possible.
If you have a technique to share, please feel free. (*I don't own a socket big enough to use as a drift. Already though of that.) Also, inserting the triple tree stem has the possibility
of being difficult without lots of pounding. Just FYI, The frame is freshly powder coated.

Thanks in advance,

Skyguyz.

bwolfie · Dec 16, 2011

a large "C" clamp and some protective pieces of wood. Press one at a time or both if the clamp is big enough. Other wise a large piece of threaded rod nuts and plates thru the bore and draw them in.

rpatton · Dec 16, 2011

This is used with a 3/8" threaded rod. It only bears on the outer race, the opposing side can be any flat piece with a 3/8" hole in it. PM me an address and I'll send to to you, you can mail it back when you're done.

Edit: It is true that you can bear on the inner race with a c-clamp and not hurt the bearing, no hitting with a hammer though. Also, seat the bottom bearing completely first, then install the spacer and upper bearing.

Guido · Dec 16, 2011

Skyguyz said:
Just FYI, The frame is freshly powder coated.

Thanks in advance,

Skyguyz.

If the powder coat got into the bore of the frame head then forcing the bearing into it is a bad idea.
I might try getting a brake cylinder hone and hone out the bore to remove any powder coating material.

swooshdave · Dec 16, 2011

combat-proddy-build-t4186-30.html#p56178

Skyguyz · Dec 16, 2011

Guido said:
Skyguyz said:

Just FYI, The frame is freshly powder coated.

Thanks in advance,

Skyguyz.

Click to expand...

If the powder coat got into the bore of the frame head then forcing the bearing into it is a bad idea.
I might try getting a brake cylinder hone and hone out the bore to remove any powder coating material.

Uh no powder coat got in.

But thanks for the suggestion anyway.

marinecommando · Dec 16, 2011

I found that half a day in the freezer both the bearings and the yoke worked great. Just dropped in then held in place with some tape till they warmed up. And hey presto done, no banging or pressing in. Next day the yoke dropped in perfectly. We all know about heat to expand, but, not a lot of people use the other extreme but it works!!

Skyguyz · Dec 17, 2011

I followed the collective opinions here and got the stem bearings fitted. A simple 3/4 fine thread rod and some machine tool spacer/washers did the trick. Not fun but it worked!

Thanks again for the timely help.

Skyguyz

Stem bearing insert opinion.

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