Steering head bearing race question

[RCinNC]

I'm on my second day of my Covid-19 Mental Health Enhancement Program, and I just got done removing the steering head for servicing. The bike is a 2014 non ES, and has just shy of 67,000 miles. This is my second time removing the headset.

This is the lower bearing race:

Is there any reason that the race needs to be replaced? There are no cracks or rough spots anywhere on the race, just the discoloration from the rollers. There were no issues with the steering (like notchiness or noise) prior to me removing the steering head. The lower steering head bearing is good, still moving smoothly. I did notice two tiny marks on the lower race; you can see them at the 10 o'clock position in the photo. That worried me at first until I checked my brand new race , and the marks are on that too.

This is the upper race:

I do have a new set of bearings and races for the bike, but I'd just as soon not deal with them now if I don't have to. I'd have to take the lower steering head to a shop to have the bearing installed, and that's kind of a hassle at the moment.

 

[EricV]

IMHO, it's not worth the effort to replace the races if they are smooth. Just re=grease and re-assemble. Just like wheel bearings, the inner race often isn't changed because if it's not damaged or excessively worn, there is little benefit.

 

[RCinNC]

Thanks Eric, I was hoping you'd weigh in on this early, so I could get back to work .

 

[EricV]

Thanks Eric, I was hoping you'd weigh in on this early, so I could get back to work .

Sorry I kept you waiting.

 

[RCinNC]

No worries, the pandemic is slowing everyone down.

When I first typed that, it read "pandemonium". Probably should have stuck with that.

 

[EricV]

No worries, the pandemic is slowing everyone down.

When I first typed that, it read "pandemonium". Probably should have stuck with that.

I guess one has begotten the other.

 

[gv550]

I replaced my lower bearing last week, it had a definite notch when turning the handlebar but I wasn’t able to feel any dents on the races. The outer race is stained similar to yours, but feels smooth. I had to cut the inner race off the steering stem and used a steel pipe and threaded rod to pull the new bearing on. My top bearing looks and feels fine so I didn’t replace it. 145,000 kms on the bike, and the bearings have been lubed and reset every 25k or so.

 

[RCinNC]

Yeah, if I'd felt anything like that notchy feeling, I'd have changed mine too. This was the first time I'd seen a steering head bearing race with this many miles on it, so I wasn't sure if that look was normal or not. Everything is repacked and put back together, and all seems well.

 

[stutrump]

Removing/replacing the races is easy so if I was you I would change them.
The tricky bit, as I'm sure you know is removing the inner race from the steering stem. If you have a Dremmel or a grinder though you can do it....no need to go to the shop. Putting the new one on is easy too either with a threaded rod or tap it down with something akin to a fork seal driver.

 

[RCinNC]

Too late, the steering head is reassembled. There was no indication that performance was compromised, and I don't have a race driver (or even a long enough punch to knock out the old races). This is one task that I'll put off until either the next service, or if I start noticing a problem.

 

[stutrump]

Fair enough. Happy riding.

 

[AVGeek]

I guess one has begotten the other.

As an aside, I looked for the etymology of the two words and came up with this: https://blog.oup.com/2008/10/pandemonium/

Nice work on your bike RC. I'd be out in the garage fixing my quad (a bit of the carb was ingested into the motor) but I don't currently have the spare funds for the parts I need...

 

[Xclimation]

This was a good question to ask! I've never wondered this, just always replaced. But from now on....this could save me serious time!....I'm one of those fools who gently taps in his races with a 2 x 4 on the old race or if I have a socket that is compatible diameter. So far on every bike I've owned, when I replace the neck bearings they have always been in good condition. And the nice part is EricV has machinist experience so I feel more than comfortable with his opinion! Thank for asking RCinNC and EricV for sharing your experience and knowledge!

 

[EricV]

As an aside, I looked for the etymology of the two words and came up with this: https://blog.oup.com/2008/10/pandemonium/

I enjoyed reading that @AVGeek On some level I remembered it from Paradise Lost, but would have guessed it came more from Pan than being Milton's creation as a place name in Hell.