Ducati Sporting Club UK > Model Specific - Discussion, Technical Problems and Help > 998 / 996 / 916 / 748 > Loose haed bearings

[Lee1980]

How do you tell? My 748s has done 400 miles so far. When manuvering backwards and forward at home you can hear a knocking noise when the front brake is applied.

When travelling slow speed feels like its knocking but may just bumps in the road.

With my previous bike a 600 hornet it used to feel like they were loose but it was the calipers sliding on pins as they had the older two piston type. The duke has fixed calipers.

Does this often happen? best not to leave it to long before tightening?
Dealer job as a special tool is required.

Thanks

Lee1980

[Scaramanga]

Lee,

easy way to check this is to apply the front brake, turn the handlebars to one side and rock the bike back and forth. If you can still hear the clunk, then get the front wheel off the deck with a swingarm pivot stand and turn the steering from side to side to feel for notchiness.

TBH, I'd be horrified if you've done your head bearings already, you tried talking to your dealer about this?

Regards,

Simon

[Totto]

Is the 748s equiped with fully/semi floating discs as these will cause a knocking noise if rocked back & forward on the brakes ?????????????

[Lee1980]

I remeber reading in a mag someone had a new 996 as longtermer and the head bearings were loose causing were handling they were tightned at first service and problem cured, i don't think they are worn yet after 400 miles unless they are faulty.

They have the gold machined alloy carriers that are lighter than the standard 748.

Would they really move that much on the bobbins?

Probably go up dealers on the weekend and get them tightned.

Thanks

Lee1980

[RickyX]

It could be your brake lines knocking on your mudguard when the suspension compresses..like mine.
If so: nothing to worry about.

[Lee1980]

Service manager said it was the fork inners rocking inside the outers only noticeable when you go backwards and forwards on the brakes.

Anyone else noticed this?

Thanks

Lee1980

[chris.p]

Originally posted by Lee1980
Service manager said it was the fork inners rocking inside the outers only noticeable when you go backwards and forwards on the brakes.

Anyone else noticed this?

Thanks

Lee1980

I think I would be horified if my forks moved other than up & down


Chris.

[ben998]

Lee,
Did you get an acceptable resolution to this? My 998 does the same and Im pretty sure its not the head bearings as there isnt any 'notchiness' when I move the bars or any play in the front wheel at all.
Id be a bit surprised/worried if it was the fork inners moving inside the outers on the brakes as ithe inners would be moving about when you were braking and that cant be great for handling!
It might be RickyX suggestion of the brake lines but I cant see when Im moving the bike about .

cheers,
Ben

[Totto]

Just checked my 998 & it knocks when pushing the suspension down , a mates did this (996s) as well but he took it to the dealer & they replaced a bush/fork oil & the knocking is gone !!!

[rockhopper]

My ST4 does it, turned out to be the disk moving on the pins, you can feel it if you rock the bike with the brakes on and hold the disk by the caliper. Best get a mate to help though.