Jota steering head bearing removal

ngiles

ngiles

Senior member
Location
Sydney, Australia
I am replacing the steering head bearings - and have got as far as removal of the triple clamps, which leaves three bearing components, the top bearing situated in the frame head-stock (picture 1), plus the two parts to the lower bearing - that in the frame and that on the lower triple clamp stem - pictures 2 and 3.

Whats the best way to remove - I have tentatively tried tapping out those in the frame head-stock using a bar and hammer but there was no obvious give; likewise a had a go at prising the roller bearing on the triple clamp stem without any indication it would give.

All suggestions welcome - obviously mindful about damaging the frame/clamp.

Cheers, Nick

PS. Now I've stripped that lot off I'm wondering whether to continue with the rest of the bike rather than rebuild the front end and the remove at some future to deal with frame re-spray etc.  Its one of those cases where one thing leads to another......
 

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To get the bearing off the stem:
With a pair of pliers or side-cutters, cut through the cage and remove the rollers.
With an angle grinder or similar, grind through the inner race at one point so that only a thin bit of material remains. Take your time so as to not overheat the stem.
With a cold chisel and hammer, tap the the race where you ground away the material, it should crack allowing you to slide the race off the stem.
 
If you have access to a hydraulic press,
you can press the tube a bit downwards through
the clamp. Either the bearing will come free.
If not, you'll have a gap after pressing the tube
back into position.
Be sure not to turn the tube or the slot for steering lock
won't fit afterwards.
About your picture 2: some folks weld a "worm" around the
the ring. When it cools down, it 'll fall out.
hth
Ernesto
 
ngiles said:
I have tentatively tried tapping out those in the frame head-stock
Click to expand...

Be less tentative. Bearing outer races in the frame will knock out with a hammer and drift. You just need to hit them harder. When tapping the new ones in be careful to keep them square and use a drift that's softer than the bearing, like brass or aluminium.

likewise a had a go at prising the roller bearing on the triple clamp stem
Click to expand...

The one on the steering stem can be a bugger. Grinding it off will work, but if you don't trust yourself not to grind big chunks out of everything, try a bit of heat on the bearing cone. You won't be able to heat it up without heating the whole assembly, but when it's nice and hot, pour some cold water down through the steering tube to shrink it away from the bearing. Then quickly apply your prising technique.
 
I don't see grants picture so maybe he showed what I do to get the races out of the steering head. I weld a piece of steel across the race then use a hammer and drift to knock out. The heat from welding helps release the race and hammering on the steel is  a lot easier than trying to get the edge of the race.  When putting back in i put the races and steering stem (the whole lower triple clamp) in the freezer overnight. Then  quickly take out one at a time to knock on the races. Dont forget the metal spacer under the bearing on the steering stem....it goes on before the bearing race.  You will probably need a new one after mangling the original when removing the race.
 
Just to close the loop on this - I removed the bearings in the steering head by being a little less tentative (thanks for the encouragement) with a drift and hammer.  The one on the stem/lower triple clamp proved more difficult but after cutting away outer race I then went at it with an angle grinder and a dremel with metal cutting disc - careful cutting and a few choice blows with a cold chisel saw it split and then come off easily.

Thanks for all the advice.

Now to get the engine out.
 
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