little play in the steering...?

[jarheadoo7]

i noticed a little jiggle in the handlebars today.. not up and down ( pulling toward the sky or pushing toward the ground), but forward, back, is jiggily.. how do i tighten this up?

 

[99warriornj]

get new bearings

 

[jarheadoo7]

thought about that and the FSM said that too but the play isn't in the bottom of the steering shaft its up by the handle bars.. there's no bearings up there isn't that just a clamp of sorts?

unless that plastic clamp is the bearing?

 

[token]

i took the clamp apart and rapped a couple raps of electrical tape around the stearing stem,seemed to eliminate this.until i can fix it properly

 

[jarheadoo7]

thanks,

i just ordered a new upper bushing.. i hope it helps, i hate spending 20 bucks for nothing..

if its still loose ill try your tape idea.. and then grease the piss outta it!

 

[DeadLastRacing]

you upper stem mount is probably loose. Take the hood off and front plastics if you already haven't divided them and jiggle the handlebars and then you can see where exactly the pay is coming from. If its not up and down, the most likely your barrings are fine.

 

[dswwarrior350]

I found mine actually felt like the play was side to side... but the worn out bearings were actually causing the stem to rise when i turned the bars... rather than jiggle like i thought... However that clamp has a tendancy to work loose also.... Take it apart i think there may be orings in there to take up the play.... however i cant remember... either way grease it up and tighten the hell outta it. just dont snap the bolts.

 

[jarheadoo7]

i took apart the upper bearing and lubed the poo outta it.. i ordered a new upper but WTF where is it?? even after reassembly of the old bearing i still have the jiggle.. ill update when the new bearing comes in........if it ever does

 

[dswwarrior350]

there is only one bearing... and its mounted in the frame at the bottom of the stem.... your going to have a hell of a time. I never replaced mine just because i never wanted to deal with it.

 

[jarheadoo7]

cyclepartswarehouse lists the upper stem "mount" as a bearing, albiet the bottom one is the only actual real bearing...

i didnt realize i needed to order 2 of the same number off them to get the entire assembly so they just sent me one half.. ill try that ill report back with the results

 

[bomber315]

i think by definition the "thing" on top of the steering stem is a bearing... its like crank bearings in a car.. they dont actually roll either...

 

[jarheadoo7]

well i dunno what actually fixed it..

i thought i ordered a new set of seals and upper bearings ( the 2 plastic pieces). what i got was one seal and the backside of the upper..

i put the new seal on top, the old on the bottom and wrapped some electrical tape around the shaft.. greased it all up real good and its solid.

next time im going to order just the seals.. i bet thats what snugged it up..

 

[bassballs818]

if i were to replace my steering stem would it be smart to replace the pieces in the upper mount? I already bought new bearing for the lower cause im tired of buying one thing and needing to order another half way thru the project.

 

[yamarider]

I would just go ahead and replace it all, the parts are cheap. Make sure you get both halves of the bushing and both of the rubber rings. When you put it together grease the **** out of it with some heavy duty equipment grease and the bushings will last forever.