Steering Head Bearings

[SkidMark]

Hey Guys,

Just wanted a second opinion on something. I am doing my steering head bearings and am at the stage of reassembly. Am I correct in saying that the top bearing should slide over the steering stem and into place by hand, opposed to having to freeze the stem and press the bearing into place. I am sure this must be the case because the lower bearing is fixed and there needs to be some moment of one of them so that the tightness can be adjusted. My top bearing is tight so if I am correct I need to sand down the stem a touch.

Confirmation would be appreciated!

Cheers
SkidMark

[knackeredMk1]

Top one should be loose to move as you say.

[SkidMark]

thought so - tx

[fallenmikethebike]

Wasn't there some confusion over the the I.D. of some sets of bearings, form memory 25- or -26mm
Whatever as KN says, some movement is required for future adjustment.
Mike

[knackeredMk1]

Yes - Some bearings say 26 some say 25 but all the ones that say they will fit do fit

[fallenmikethebike]

Eventually

[knackeredMk1]

Found out the answer to the 25/26 fit.

Basically tapered roller bearings are much more commonly made (and therefore cheaper) in the 25mm internal diameter but they can but bored/ground out to 26mm and some seconary manufacturers do this in volume so the cost of the finished article is cheaper.

Seems like All Balls are doing this.

[fallenmikethebike]

Found out the answer to the 25/26 fit.

Basically tapered roller bearings are much more commonly made (and therefore cheaper) in the 25mm internal diameter but they can but bored/ground out to 26mm and some seconary manufacturers do this in volume so the cost of the finished article is cheaper.

Seems like All Balls are doing this.

So all balls and rollers then
Mike