Ducati Sporting Club UK > Model Specific - Discussion, Technical Problems and Help > Sport Touring: ST4 / ST3 / ST2 > steering head bearing

[Glyn]

starting to get a tad of play in the head bearings on the bike
any advice on tightening them up
like how too do it
and how to tell if there knackerd or just loose?
ta

[moozaad]

they're enclosed so it's a strip front and replace job. Bit of a job, best to be done during a service I'm told.

if they're loose, then they're knackered. Either the metal spaces having disintegrated or the bearings are cracked/rugby ball shaped.

[KeefyB]

Originally posted by Glyn
starting to get a tad of play in the head bearings on the bike
any advice on tightening them up
like how too do it
and how to tell if there knackerd or just loose?

ta

To check the steering bearings you need to get the front wheel in the air.I dont mean pulling wheelies up the High st,just get the wheel in the air on the centre stand.Turn the forks lock to lock and feel for any graunchyness(new word!) in the action.
Then grasp the fork bottoms and push/pull them to check the play in the bearings.
To adjust them its usually a C spanner adjuster under the top yolk.

[Rushjob]

The ST's are renowned for the head bearings playing up.
They may require replacement which is a bit more than I'd be happy doing personally.
If you check them as Keith suggests and there is no noticeable graunchyness ( copyright Barnard Dictionaries ) then I'd try setting them.
There is no C spaner used on the ST range.
To adjust the head bearings, loosen the pinch bolt in the top yoke holding the split nut at the top of the steering head.
Using the special tool to locate into the holes on the split nut, set the preload on the bearings at 30Nm of torque.
Either that or drop in to your favuorite cross dressing Ducati specialist & it takes 5 minutes to do.
Mine was vibrating & shaking like a b@rsteward until I set them as above.
It's splendid now!

[KeefyB]

Aha!Similar adjuster to the Superbike range then.I thought you had to torque the special nut up,and then slack it off by 30degrees?
Or is that only the Superbikes?
Either way,you need the special socket to fit or take it over to Nelly's.

[Glyn]

cheers chaps
have done as sugested e.g front wheel in the air
cant feel anything wrong
but if i roll the bike backerds and apply front brake i feel a clonk
wheel bearings seem o.k
dont know if its just the brake disks moving, but ive not noticed it before
i'll get nelly to check next time im up that way
p.s any one got an st2 chip