Topic: Help! Steering stem and tube!

[manosteel]

Guys, is this a clean steering tube? I can't tell if this upper piece is part of the old bearing or not. Also, how do you remove the lower race stuck to the bottom of the stem?

[DaveBarbier]

Is this on your 550? Looks like a race is still in there. Should be able to use a long drift from the top and catch a lip and you lightly hammer it out evenly.

Check out my build thread, the last picture in this post I liked to has the race in the lower part of the neck.

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,140833.msg1659542.html#msg1659542

[manosteel]

Its on my 550. Its the top of the neck. There doesnt seem to be a lip. Is this one I have to crack with a chisel and a dremel?  The lower race , washer, and rubber bushings are stuck to the tree as well, I assume I can crack that as well with a dremel and a chisel as well to remove? 

[DaveBarbier]

Oh that is the top, isn't it...

I didn't grind any races off; of either the neck or the tube. I used a long drift on the opposite end of the tube. I may have used a pry bar first to work the race up a bit on the top part of the tube. I honestly can't remember that part and I didn't document it :/.

A dremel and chisel would totally work, but obviously there's a risk of damaging the race surfaces. If you accept those risks, then go for it. Although, I used the lower race on the tube to help press the new race on, so might not want to destroy it.
 
Do you have the bearings to put back in to see if this is the race or not? It really looks like it is.

[manosteel]

Yes I do. The new race would sit above the top of the tube. Is it supposed to be flush?

[manosteel]

The new set is tapered, does not look the same as far as the race goes.

[DaveBarbier]

Mine sat a couple mm above the top of the neck. Not sure if the '78 k4 550 is a little different than yours.

On closer inspection, that 'race' in your picture doesn't look like it could hold bearings. It seems like it has flat sides parallel with the neck walls. Anything put in there would just fall through.

[754]

 It sort of looks like race is out in the pic. Yes the tapered cup will look different and be taller...

[flybox1]

+1
Looks like the tapered race goes in right there.  Nothing else to take out.
My 750's upper race sat above the neck once driven in.

[manosteel]

Awesome. Thanks guys!

[nicks2319]

+1 there is no race in that photo, it has already been removed.

[nicks2319]

Here's what the original race looks like, fyi:

[manosteel]

My old one went flying apart all over my floor, so i had no reference, thanks Nick.