Steering head bearings

[ILMV]

Hi all,

I had the steering head bearings replaced a couple of years ago (09 F800GS) but they feel like they've gone again.

I tested by lifting front end up, moving wheel/bars side to side, and it's notching, but only dead ahead.

Q1) How likely is it that the bearings would notch dead ahead only? I'd think it would notch in such a manner that it'd occur at regular intervals of the bar travel.

Q2) What bearings do folk recommend? I've seen plenty around, are they much of a muchness?


Cheers,
Ben

 

[Alan R]

I have no specific knowledge of this but my thoughts are thus: if you think about it you probably apply the most load (greatest wear) to the bearings under acceleration and more significantly under braking. These activities mainly take place whilst upright and riding straight ahead.
Alan R

 

[coyotedave]

It's the 800s Achilles heal.
They can go in a couple of thousand miles. No difference if you use non standard bearings, so stick with BMW.
Check them regularly and just nip them up with a 10mm Allen key to the tourqe settings.


Cheers Dave.

 

[snappo]

I've had mine done twice in 34k - they do seem to be one of the weaknesses of the 800.

Micky is your man to talk to about bearings, he's got it to a fine art!

 

[kyojitsu]

I had both head bearings and wheel bearings replaced at the 24k service (bike had done 22k). I was a little surprised being new to the bike. Luckily I took out a BMW insured warranty so it was covered less the excess.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[ILMV]

Thanks for your input folks, I've just put in a big order with motorworks... head bearings, wheel bearings, hyperpro fork springs... going to feel like a different bike!

 

[Micky]

They only feel notchy in the straight ahead position. Just as you say, front wheel off the deck, v e r y gently move the handlebars from side to side, just using finger and thumb on the handlebars, just a few degrees either side of the straight ahead position and you can feel the indentation, if you're gentle enough you can see the handlebars jump in to the straight ahead position!!!

As said, it's a common problem, for some reason, with the 800GS's A problem that BMW don't seem to want address

I've tried e v e r y top brand of bearings, some have gone in 5,000 miles, some have gone 25,000 miles (now at 117,000 miles)

I just do them by feel now .... seem to last longer than using torque wrenches

After about 1k to 2k they'll just want nipping up by about 5° max

 

[shaunj]

I'll 2nd the doing it by feel, basically just tighten it so theres a slight resistance when you go lock to lock

 

[ferrol]

650 twins also. I go through loads of steering bearings. At one point every 6k. Seems to have settled now though.

But same as you describe straight ahead notches.

BTW my bike is my daily commute. So gets used a lot.

 

[thomo57]

I'll 2nd the doing it by feel, basically just tighten it so theres a slight resistance when you go lock to lock

Same here..
About ready to replace third set at 75K, the lower bearing is always shot and the upper like new. Might try being a tight bugger and just replace the lower one this time..
The good news is the more times I change them, the longer they seem to last

 

[ILMV]

Thanks everyone!

Bearings replaced today, all good. The old ones didn't feel too bad, but there was some visible wear.

Now silky smooth, will check again in a few hundred miles to see how they're getting on

 

[Colin]

bearings

just had my steering head bearings replaced 8,554 miles. 2014 F700gs.

 

[dibbs]

ILMV I have the exact same problem with my 2010 gs. Did you replace them yourself? and was it a hard job? is it easy to get the bottom bearings off the stem? Has anyone else done this job themselves or get the garage to do it.

Thanks

 

[thomo57]

Just changed mine for 3rd time at 75K..
Not a difficult job, the lower race can be removed via pin punch through the two 4mm holes provided. You will need to replace the cheap lower dust cover

 

[dibbs]

Thanks. nice to know they thought of putting pin holes in to aid removal! good ol bmw

 

[frenchy3]

H.i,is it possible that when the bikes were assembled the bearings were over tightened leading to premature wear. Also with any bike i have ever changed the steering head bearings on i use a bearing packer(you place the bearing over a cone,fit the top on it and pump in grease through a grease nipple) I also use a really good quality grease. I often remove the little rubber seals on new wheel bearings and re=pack them with grease as the manufacturer tries to do everything on the cheap. I tend to use SKF or Koyo bearings and i have had success with "all balls" bearings and suspension linkage rebuild kits. I am sure many people still find these problems occuring after doing a good job of replacement with the best components. If this is the case you would begin to suspect the design of the system is at fault. I am suprised the feedback from mechanics at the dealerships has not resulted in a technical bulletin leading to a re-design at the factory. Or am i being unrealistic?

 

[Micky]

....... Or am i being unrealistic?

Yes

They fail, whether you over torque, under torque or correct torque them

Try any grease you want, try any torque you want, try any make of bearing you want .... they fail prematurely

Yes, it is a problem BMW should address, but as ever, they have their corporate heads in the corporate sand

Oh .... and welcome to UKGSer



Edit ... the next time I do mine (bike now at 121,000 miles) I'll try the molybdenum diwhathemacallit type stuff they use in CV joints on cars .... they have to undergo similar stresses as our head bearings

 

[frenchy3]

Thank you,i am taking delivery of my very first BMW GS, an F800 on thursday so i should order a set of head bearings,a comfortable seat,a bag full of wheel bearings and a taller screen

Yes

They fail, whether you over torque, under torque or correct torque them

Try any grease you want, try any torque you want, try any make of bearing you want .... they fail prematurely

Yes, it is a problem BMW should address, but as ever, they have their corporate heads in the corporate sand

Oh .... and welcome to UKGSer



Edit ... the next time I do mine (bike now at 121,000 miles) I'll try the molybdenum diwhathemacallit type stuff they use in CV joints on cars .... they have to undergo similar stresses as our head bearings

 

[Ash]

650 twins also. I go through loads of steering bearings. At one point every 6k. Seems to have settled now though.

But same as you describe straight ahead notches.

BTW my bike is my daily commute. So gets used a lot.

Yup!!!
My present 650 had a set at 9k miles & my last one had a set also....

 

[outrunner]

My last 650 twin was sold at 36000 miles, original head bearings OK. Present 650 twin has done 21000, just passed MOT with original head bearings, perhaps I am just lucky?


Andy.