Forgot steering stem bearing seal!!!! help!

[Guest]

So in my haste I managed to set my new lower stem bearing onto the stem before noticing the washer and dust seal were on the work bench. Any ideas? If i take it to a mechanic and he uses the right tool for the job will the bearing still be good? If not should this work for a while if i use good marine grease? Thanks for any input. My wife's a little perturbed.

[cowboyup3371]

I did the same, although I wasn't sure where the bottom spacer went to, and am just going to put it together with sufficient grease. I think it will be okay.

[almarconi]

The way to repair it is to take it apart, take your time and install it correctly. Why go through all the trouble to replace a part and then half azz it?

[gsrick]

So in my haste I managed to set my new lower stem bearing onto the stem before noticing the washer and dust seal were on the work bench. Any ideas? If i take it to a mechanic and he uses the right tool for the job will the bearing still be good? If not should this work for a while if i use good marine grease? Thanks for any input. My wife's a little perturbed.

You need to have that washer and dust seal on there if it came with it. It's there for a reason, you will wind up with a wobbly front end and good chances of crashing. Buying another bearing is alot cheaper than medical bills.

Parts fiche


http://www.boulevardsuzuki.com/fiche_section_detail.asp?section=95501&category=Mo torcycles&make=SUZUKI&year=1979&fveh=2147

I did the same, although I wasn't sure where the bottom spacer went to, and am just going to put it together with sufficient grease.

Scott if yours had the same, think of your family. Fix it the way it came from the factory. If your lower bearing splits or drops down the stem your going to have a dangerously loose steering stem. Your in no hurry anyway. DO IT RIGHT. Do you want to take the chance your wrong? Look up a parts fisch and see if it's suppose to be there.

Parts fiche

http://www.boulevardsuzuki.com/fiche_section_detail.asp?section=93558&category=Mo torcycles&make=SUZUKI&year=1981&fveh=2116

Thank Eric not me.

[salty_monk]

Can't you get the bearing off without damaging it? I would think you can if you're careful...

[chucksuki]

Well, I put it all together to see how it fit. Everything went together well, the triple tree doesn't hit the frame. It will be fine for a month at least when I can afford to get a new one.

[hillsy]

It'll be fine. Not having the dust seal won't make the bearing spontaneously combust or throw you down the road. Just keep an eye on the grease.

[chucksuki]

I'm with you. So long as I'm not spraying water or hurling hand-fulls of dirt up under my triple tree it should be fine. Everything bolted up beautifully I should have some pics up soon.

[Agemax]

it will be perfectly ok, i wouldn't even worry about replacing it again in the near future.
as said before just keep a check on the grease and as a safe measure, after a few weeks recheck the top nuts for tightness. the bearings may need a tweek after they have all bedded in properly.

[salty_monk]

Is there a way to cable tie a piece of rubber around it to act like a boot? It is only to stop dirt / water ingress after all...

Some of the head bearings I have seen are pretty rough & the bike still rides ok.

[JEEPRUSTY]

WHy is this an issue remove the bearing if possible without damage
If impossible replace and remember the correct install sequence.

[chucksuki]

That's a great idea about the boot, i was trying to figure something clever out. I think i could make something work. The issue really is available funds and time without my main vehicle. At this moment i don't have the available funds to buy a replacement online and I don't have the time to search out the correct bearing locally at a bearing shop. i would make time if this were overly critical, but given that I have much more to do and i can buy some time before replacing. I guess I asked the question to see what other peoples opinions were.

[Agemax]

if you buy the bearing seperate from a bearing dealer you will not get the spacer/washer or the dust seal. you will only get these if you buy a motorcycle specific set of bearings.
i have run taper roller head bearings on bikes with no dust seals and it does not cause a problem

[chucksuki]

my biggest issue was the lower washer that goes on first. I wanted to make sure the spacing wasn't an issue. After putting it together and seeing that the nothing was really affected then i decided we were good. I've worked in construction/oil field/offshore/in tug boats/and mechanic shops and have seen tons of bearings run without seals, just gotta keep'em good and greased.

[Fjbj40]

Is it possible to just purchase the seal? It is not listed or shown on the parts diagram.

I purchased my bearings from a bearing shop but was unable to get the same style seal, mine is toast!

I have seen other postings on other sites that also say it is ok to run without a seal. I have yet to install the bearing on the shaft/stem.

Daryl