Play / Clunk In Steering Stem

trevor_shiggs · May 13th, 2012, 07:15 PM

I noticed when coming to a stop I had a clunk felt in my handlebars. It has gotten worse and I can feel it over bumps now. When pushing my bike then grabbing the front brake I can see play between the triple tree and the steering stem nut. (Between C and D) I don't have the special tool to adjust the stem nut but I have tried a screwdriver and a hammer tapping the nut clockwise. I have gone about an eighth of a turn and it has not improved. Is this nut reverse thread? I didn't have to tap it too hard to get it to move.

cuong-nutz · May 13th, 2012, 07:25 PM

Might have to tighten it down some more. If it doesn't improve it could possibly be that your bearings/race is worn.

I really have never messed with the steering stem bearings but it's worth a shot to try and tighten it some more and see if there's any improvement.

Ritter · May 13th, 2012, 08:34 PM

Or head bearings.

Motofool · May 14th, 2012, 10:02 AM

You have to lift the whole front end to do the adjustment properly.
Being so loose, some ball may be out of line; but in that case the steering movement wouldn't be free.

As you have it ready for service, go ahead and dissemble the top and bottom bearings, inspect the balls and the tracks and lubricate all.

For a better feel when adjusting, use the tips of a thin-tips pliers (vertically) on each notch (of part C) with some lever running across the pliers.

trevor_shiggs · May 14th, 2012, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Motofool

You have to lift the whole front end to do the adjustment properly.
Being so loose, some ball may be out of line; but in that case the steering movement wouldn't be free.

As you have it ready for service, go ahead and dissemble the top and bottom bearings, inspect the balls and the tracks and lubricate all.

For a better feel when adjusting, use the tips of a thin-tips pliers (vertically) on each notch (of part C) with some lever running across the pliers.

How do I get the front end up off the ground haha. Thats my problem. I thought maybe I could put the rear on my swingarm stand and then jack it up from the "tie rods" and that would lift the front up off the ground, but they are too far towards the back.

Motofool · May 15th, 2012, 06:11 AM

What I tried to say was that for taking the track to a tight position, is better if you can lift the front wheel and liberate the bearings from the weight of the front end.

Then for fine adjustment, the front wheel in the air is better.

I forgot to tell you that the top nut should be fully released before turning the notched nut, since the first one presses the second one in the proper position.

Check these articles:

http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/Steerin...ng_replacement

http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/Support...hile_Servicing

alex.s · May 15th, 2012, 09:14 AM

i use channel locks to grab it and tighten it. you have to line it up just right when putting it back on. no weight makes it hard since you have to lift the front end, all the weight makes it impossible by hand, but if you have some weight on it, you can kinda rock it forward on the brakes and it lines it up perfectly and you can tighten the nut from there

trevor_shiggs · May 17th, 2012, 08:24 AM

I got the clunk figured out. I ended up putting "b" back to where it was. When I was tightening "B" I noticed that "E" was finger loose. Torqued E and now my clunk is gone. Steering feels pretty loose so I might tighten up B a little bit. I just wish I could get the front wheel off the ground and hanging.

cuong-nutz · May 17th, 2012, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trevor_shiggs

I got the clunk figured out. I ended up putting "b" back to where it was. When I was tightening "B" I noticed that "E" was finger loose. Torqued E and now my clunk is gone. Steering feels pretty loose so I might tighten up B a little bit. I just wish I could get the front wheel off the ground and hanging.

Jackstand under the bike.

trevor_shiggs · May 18th, 2012, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cuong-nutz

Jackstand under the bike.

on the oil pan? exhaust? where do I stick em?

cuong-nutz · May 18th, 2012, 10:26 PM

Get a floor jack and place it under the oil filter housing. You can also flip your foot pegs around and put jack stands under them do they don't fold.

May 13th, 2012, 07:15 PM	#1
trevor_shiggs ninjette.org member Name: Canada Location: Duncan, B.C. Canada Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Ninja 250r Posts: 80	Play / Clunk In Steering Stem I noticed when coming to a stop I had a clunk felt in my handlebars. It has gotten worse and I can feel it over bumps now. When pushing my bike then grabbing the front brake I can see play between the triple tree and the steering stem nut. (Between C and D) I don't have the special tool to adjust the stem nut but I have tried a screwdriver and a hammer tapping the nut clockwise. I have gone about an eighth of a turn and it has not improved. Is this nut reverse thread? I didn't have to tap it too hard to get it to move. __________________________________________________ 2010 Ninja 250 Danmoto Carbon Slip On,Factory Pro Jet Kit,K&N R-0990 Air Filter,10000K HID's,Carbon Fiber Shogun No Cut Frame Sliders & Swingarm Spools,SSR Lowering Links and more....

May 13th, 2012, 07:25 PM	#2
cuong-nutz RIP Alex Name: Cuong Location: Houston, TX Join Date: Apr 2011 Motorcycle(s): '10 250r, '09 265r Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 2	Might have to tighten it down some more. If it doesn't improve it could possibly be that your bearings/race is worn. I really have never messed with the steering stem bearings but it's worth a shot to try and tighten it some more and see if there's any improvement. __________________________________________________ HalfFast Racing Team Serving Greater Houston Area Riders:WFO Riders MotoHouston HPC CMRA Ride Smart Fastline Lone Star Track Days

May 14th, 2012, 10:02 AM	#4
Motofool Daily Ninjette rider Name: Hernan Location: Florida Join Date: Mar 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2007 Ninja 250 Posts: A lot. MOTY - 2016, MOTM - Dec '12, Jan '14, Jan '15, May '16	You have to lift the whole front end to do the adjustment properly. Being so loose, some ball may be out of line; but in that case the steering movement wouldn't be free. As you have it ready for service, go ahead and dissemble the top and bottom bearings, inspect the balls and the tracks and lubricate all. For a better feel when adjusting, use the tips of a thin-tips pliers (vertically) on each notch (of part C) with some lever running across the pliers. __________________________________________________ *Motofool* *.................................Never ride faster than your guardian angel can fly* "Mankind is composed of two sorts of men — those who love and create, and those who hate and destroy. Love is the bond between men, the way to teach and the center of the world." - José Martí

May 15th, 2012, 06:11 AM	#6
Motofool Daily Ninjette rider Name: Hernan Location: Florida Join Date: Mar 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2007 Ninja 250 Posts: A lot. MOTY - 2016, MOTM - Dec '12, Jan '14, Jan '15, May '16	What I tried to say was that for taking the track to a tight position, is better if you can lift the front wheel and liberate the bearings from the weight of the front end. Then for fine adjustment, the front wheel in the air is better. I forgot to tell you that the top nut should be fully released before turning the notched nut, since the first one presses the second one in the proper position. Check these articles: http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/Steerin...ng_replacement http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/Support...hile_Servicing __________________________________________________ *Motofool* *.................................Never ride faster than your guardian angel can fly* "Mankind is composed of two sorts of men — those who love and create, and those who hate and destroy. Love is the bond between men, the way to teach and the center of the world." - José Martí

May 15th, 2012, 09:14 AM	#7
alex.s wat Name: wat Location: tustin/long beach Join Date: Sep 2009 Motorcycle(s): wat Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 5 MOTM - Oct '12, Feb '14	i use channel locks to grab it and tighten it. you have to line it up just right when putting it back on. no weight makes it hard since you have to lift the front end, all the weight makes it impossible by hand, but if you have some weight on it, you can kinda rock it forward on the brakes and it lines it up perfectly and you can tighten the nut from there __________________________________________________

May 13th, 2012, 08:34 PM	#3
Ritter ninjette.org member Name: Clay Location: Kansas City Join Date: May 2012 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250r BSA Lightning, Chinese something Posts: 35	Or head bearings.

May 17th, 2012, 08:24 AM	#8
trevor_shiggs ninjette.org member Name: Canada Location: Duncan, B.C. Canada Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Ninja 250r Posts: 80	I got the clunk figured out. I ended up putting "b" back to where it was. When I was tightening "B" I noticed that "E" was finger loose. Torqued E and now my clunk is gone. Steering feels pretty loose so I might tighten up B a little bit. I just wish I could get the front wheel off the ground and hanging. __________________________________________________ 2010 Ninja 250 Danmoto Carbon Slip On,Factory Pro Jet Kit,K&N R-0990 Air Filter,10000K HID's,Carbon Fiber Shogun No Cut Frame Sliders & Swingarm Spools,SSR Lowering Links and more....

May 18th, 2012, 10:26 PM	#11
cuong-nutz RIP Alex Name: Cuong Location: Houston, TX Join Date: Apr 2011 Motorcycle(s): '10 250r, '09 265r Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 2	Get a floor jack and place it under the oil filter housing. You can also flip your foot pegs around and put jack stands under them do they don't fold. __________________________________________________ HalfFast Racing Team Serving Greater Houston Area Riders:WFO Riders MotoHouston HPC CMRA Ride Smart Fastline Lone Star Track Days

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