Head stock bearings question

WJBertrand

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My ‘15 has developed a distinct “notch” in the dead ahead steering direction. I know this means I need to replace the headstock bearings. I’m used to seeing a race, bearing and seal for each end of the steering tube. When I look at the parts fiche I see the upper and lower bearings but no races or seals. Are the races integral with the bearings or just in the same package or what? I don’t see any seals in the diagrams either. Thanks for any advice/ experience.


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Sometimes the race cracks. That will cause this. Also recently I’ve seen the top race pressed in crooked. You can see lots of wear on 30-50% of the race, but the rest of the race is not touched.
I would just throw a new one in and make sure everything is seated good and proper and then lube it up well with quality grease. I have all types of photos if you need reference.
 
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WJBertrand

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Sometimes the race cracks. That will cause this. Also recently I’ve seen the top race pressed in crooked. You can see lots of wear on 30-50% of the race, but the rest of the race is in touched.
I would just throw a new one in and make sure everything is seated good and proper and then lube it up well with quality grease. I have all types of photos if you need reference.
Thanks, so there are separate races for the headstock bearings? I don’t see them on the parts fiche. The photos at the Amazon site of the All Balls bearings also do not show separate races, just two bearing assemblies and what appear to be three seals?


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SparrowHawkxx

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My ‘15 has developed a distinct “notch” in the dead ahead steering direction. I know this means I need to replace the headstock bearings. I’m used to seeing a race, bearing and seal for each end of the steering tube. When I look at the parts fiche I see the upper and lower bearings but no races or seals. Are the races integral with the bearings or just in the same package or what? I don’t see any seals in the diagrams either. Thanks for any advice/ experience.


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Yes, bearings and race in the same package. I used the OEM parts.
Its been over 3 years ago since I did mine. I know that I only ordered 1 part for upper and 1 for the lower bearings. I don't remember anything about seals.
Heres's another reference - Steering head bearing replacement

Just another note, getting the inner race off the steering stem can be difficult.
Steering head bearing race question
 

Desoto

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I recently did mine. Bought the All Balls kit number 22-1001. It comes with all you need for the job, bearings, races and seals. Just make sure you pack the bearing with grease. And just don't forget to install a seal before the bearing on the lower triple tree stem.
 

SparrowHawkxx

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Thanks, so there are separate races for the headstock bearings? I don’t see them on the parts fiche. The photos at the Amazon site of the All Balls bearings also do not show separate races, just two bearing assemblies and what appear to be three seals?


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Other bikes use the same bearings but different seals so they are packaged with the various seals.
Reference - Steering Head Bearings 2013 S10 | Reply #5
 

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# 1 Top bearing & race 93332-00078-00

#44 Bottom bearing & race 93332-00081-00
 

WJBertrand

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Ok, thanks all, parts are ordered, there does not appear to be any kind of seal below the lower bearing unless it comes with the lower bearing under the same part number.

A new question; what size is the top nut on the upper triple clamp under the handlebar? This is the solid, finished looking nut. I’m going to need to buy a socket as nothing I have is that large. The shop manual nor the parts fiche sites list the size of it. Thanks again


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WJBertrand

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And just don't forget to install a seal before the bearing on the lower triple tree stem.
Yes, I am accustomed to seeing a seal below the lower bearing on the stem on other bikes, but in this case neither the service manual nor the parts fiche sites show any seal in this location.


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SparrowHawkxx

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Ok, thanks all, parts are ordered, there does not appear to be any kind of seal below the lower bearing unless it comes with the lower bearing under the same part number.

A new question; what size is the top nut on the upper triple clamp under the handlebar? This is the solid, finished looking nut. I’m going to need to buy a socket as nothing I have is that large. The shop manual nor the parts fiche sites list the size of it. Thanks again


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27mm socket – for the steering stem nut
Steering Stem Nut Socket (1/2” drive) - https://www.ebay.com/itm/Yamaha-XT1200-Super-Tenere-Steering-Stem-Nut-Socket-/112356606297
 

whisperquiet

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The nut size is 36mm…….which, I do not own a socket for.

I have a 2015 S10 standard and replaced the steering bearings a week ago at 56000 miles. I used a 1 7/16” socket on the aluminum cap nut that sits above the top tree. I put a double layer of bread bag plastic over the nut which snugged up the socket and it broke cleanly with no damage. The stem bearing was easy to remove after it was cut with a Dremel cut off wheel. Both OEM frame races were easy to tap out with a short piece of 1/2” steel rod. All was good with the install of the new bearings/races except the bottom race which was real difficult to drive in straight……I eventually cleaned up the frame with a very fine sanding wheel and installed the race with my bearing driver set. The bike steers like it weighs 100 lbs less:)

Also, there is a seal on the bottom of the steering stem bearing.
 
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WJBertrand

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The nut size is 36mm…….which, I do not own a socket for.

I have a 2015 S10 standard and replaced the steering bearings a week ago at 56000 miles. I used a 1 7/16” socket on the aluminum cap nut that sits above the top tree. I put a double layer of bread bag plastic over the nut which snugged up the socket and it broke cleanly with no damage. The stem bearing was easy to remove after it was cut with a Dremel cut off wheel. Both OEM frame races were easy to tap out with a short piece of 1/2” steel rod. All was good with the install of the new bearings/races except the bottom race which was real difficult to drive in straight……I eventually cleaned up the frame with a very fine sanding wheel and installed the race with my bearing driver set. The bike steers like it weighs 100 lbs less:)

Also, there is a seal on the bottom of the steering stem bearing.
Thanks for the information. Do you know the part number for the lower seal or is it included in the lower bearing part number?


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whisperquiet

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Thanks for the information. Do you know the part number for the lower seal or is it included in the lower bearing part number?


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I used a set of Tusk bearings that included the seals……the OEM Yamaha bearings have the seal attached to the bearing top and bottom.
My lower bearing also had a distinct notch and steering felt like the front tire had 10 psi.
 
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SparrowHawkxx

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Just curious how many miles does it usually take to wear out a set of Tenere steering head bearings ?
I first started noticing some minor notching around 65K miles before a trip to Alaska. It got worse during the trip and I changed the bearings after I got back, at about 78K miles.

I used a set of Tusk bearings that included the seals……the OEM Yamaha bearings have the seal attached to the bearing top and bottom.
My lower bearing also had a distinct notch and steering felt like the front tire had 10 psi.
That's what I was thinking, the seals were attached on the OEM bearings but its been over 3 years and I couldn't remember for sure.
 
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