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BarelyStreetLegal · 09-29-2011, 02:35 PM

I'm starting to notice a strange clunk coming from the steering head when going over bumps or braking hard. How likely is it that a simple adjustment will do the trick? Or am i looking at having to replace the bearing?

pushrod · 09-29-2011, 02:46 PM

You don't mention which Softail you have, so have the grain of salt ready.

Check first for anything loose on the front. Headlight nacelle, loose dogbone bolts or clamps, fender, brake caliper, drink holder, etc.

The next thing you do is to jack the front tire off the ground, and (while someone else steadies the bike, or you have it secured otherwise) then push and pull sharply on the front wheel. If it makes the 'clunk' noise or feels like it, you need to adjust the stem bearing preload.

It's been too long, so I don't know if the procedure for my old FXR applies to Softail stems. The FXR procedure used a 'fall-away' adjustment.

Unless you use a pressure washer to clean your bike, I really doubt your fork stem bearing(s) need to be replaced. Or even lubed, for that matter. But an inspect, clean and re-lube wouldn't hurt.

The Spaceman · 09-30-2011, 05:02 AM

One thing is sure: the longer you wait, the worse it will get. If the race and bearing are ok now and it's just loose, every time you feel that clunk the race is getting hammered by the bearing. I've seen steering head races that were actually ditched out by that.

BarelyStreetLegal · 10-04-2011, 05:54 PM

Thanks for the advice. Not wanting to risk any bearing deterioration I was able to get it done this weekend.

All I did was jack it up, tighten the stem nut until is was too tight then backed off little by little until it felt just right.

The_AirHawk · 10-05-2011, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BarelyStreetLegal

Thanks for the advice. Not wanting to risk any bearing deterioration I was able to get it done this weekend.

All I did was jack it up, tighten the stem nut until is was too tight then backed off little by little until it felt just right.

Welcome to Motorcycle Mechanix.

"It just Feels Good".

09-29-2011, 02:35 PM	#1
BarelyStreetLegal Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 5	'07 Softail Steering Head Clunk I'm starting to notice a strange clunk coming from the steering head when going over bumps or braking hard. How likely is it that a simple adjustment will do the trick? Or am i looking at having to replace the bearing?

09-29-2011, 02:46 PM	#2
pushrod Founding Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Baja 'Bama Posts: 3,478	You don't mention which Softail you have, so have the grain of salt ready. Check first for anything loose on the front. Headlight nacelle, loose dogbone bolts or clamps, fender, brake caliper, drink holder, etc. The next thing you do is to jack the front tire off the ground, and (while someone else steadies the bike, or you have it secured otherwise) then push and pull sharply on the front wheel. If it makes the 'clunk' noise or feels like it, you need to adjust the stem bearing preload. It's been too long, so I don't know if the procedure for my old FXR applies to Softail stems. The FXR procedure used a 'fall-away' adjustment. Unless you use a pressure washer to clean your bike, I really doubt your fork stem bearing(s) need to be replaced. Or even lubed, for that matter. But an inspect, clean and re-lube wouldn't hurt. __________________ You would not understand, this is not how I am... I have become - Comfortably Numb.

09-30-2011, 05:02 AM	#3
The Spaceman Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 1,352	One thing is sure: the longer you wait, the worse it will get. If the race and bearing are ok now and it's just loose, every time you feel that clunk the race is getting hammered by the bearing. I've seen steering head races that were actually ditched out by that. __________________ The Texas DOT has announced that: "Traffic accidents are caused by skid marks." The state DOT researchers found and documented a near-100% correlation between traffic accidents and skid marks. "Wherever we find these cars colliding," he explained, "we also find these skid marks."

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10-04-2011, 05:54 PM	#4
BarelyStreetLegal Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 5	Thanks for the advice. Not wanting to risk any bearing deterioration I was able to get it done this weekend. All I did was jack it up, tighten the stem nut until is was too tight then backed off little by little until it felt just right.