Author Topic: Steering stem - STUCK OR #$%*ED?!? (Read 4862 times)

jonpals · « **on:** March 19, 2012, 01:16:40 PM »

Hi guys - I started my cb750 project a couple of weeks ago and I have done tons of work.

But I do have one problem....!!!

I can't get the steering stem out

I tried hitting it with a rubber mallet - No Luck
I tried hitting it with a hammer and a piece of wood in between - No Luck

Shouldn't it just slide out when I unddo the top nut and washer?

Thanks in advance

grachman · « **Reply #1 on:** March 19, 2012, 01:24:46 PM »

Looks like the steering stem nut is still on. If you don't the 48mm spanner tool, then just take a screwdriver and tap it counter-clockwise with a rubber mallet...should come loose with not too much effort.

jonpals · « **Reply #2 on:** March 19, 2012, 01:26:55 PM »

it is of -

I did as you describe - a screwdriver, a rubber mallet and a carefull hit and it came right of.

But the stem is still stuck ind there

grachman · « **Reply #3 on:** March 19, 2012, 01:38:03 PM »

Ahh, yes I see. Only saw the last photo at first. It should be free. Put your weight on the frame by sitting on it and bang away with a rubber mallet. Should come off. Maybe tap it a little side to side or use some degreaser (though looks like there's plenty of grease)...might be a damaged bearing or cockeyed race. I've never had this problem...maybe some others have a better suggestion...I would just bang away, but I'm a Scot. Did you notice steering issues before dis-assembly?

bollingball · « **Reply #4 on:** March 19, 2012, 01:42:57 PM »

2X4 wood and BFH small sledge

Ken

jonpals · « **Reply #5 on:** March 19, 2012, 01:50:18 PM »

I havn't felt any symptoms with the bearings....
They runs smooth, and as far as I know they are at the most 5 years old.

What is the purpose of the race? Is it some sort of a dust cover?

bollingball · « **Reply #6 on:** March 19, 2012, 02:08:34 PM »

The race is what the ball bearing ride on.

Ken

Don R · « **Reply #7 on:** March 19, 2012, 02:10:07 PM »

The race is the part the bearing rides on. it's a snug fit but shouldn't be tight. It that's been chromed it might be siezed on the plating.

754 · « **Reply #8 on:** March 19, 2012, 09:18:09 PM »

Looks like the stem wore where the race sits, and raised a burr...you have to file the burr off and line the stem up to the hole in the race, before tapping it out..

jonpals · « **Reply #9 on:** March 19, 2012, 09:41:56 PM »

@754

I'm sorry - maybe it's just me beeing stupid og tired - but I simply do not understand what you are saying:-) Remember, i'm the new kid on the blok and from europe:-)
Could you please cut it out in cardboard for me so I have a chance of underrstanding it?:-)

Jonas

754 · « **Reply #10 on:** March 19, 2012, 10:41:17 PM »

What country are you from?
Is the stem moving down a few milimeters, the stopping? is the stem loose in the top bearing race.looking at the top photo ?

somesuch · « **Reply #11 on:** March 19, 2012, 11:39:06 PM »

I have seen before steering stems deformed (races made groves in the stems) from front end collision so they would not slide out. The steering stops still looked virgin! The bikes with "unicorn" top triple usually have the top triple just disintegrate, but later top triples are a bit stouter and the stems get deformed more. I remember one was particularly stubborn. If that is the case you will need to replace the bottom triple clamp anyway, so just cut the stem above the top race and bang away with a lead hammer on the bottom.

You could tell that they were damaged by looking at the gap at the bottom between the t-clamp and the frame

BTW the frames were still straight.

grcamna2 · « **Reply #12 on:** March 20, 2012, 05:25:02 AM »

Quote from: somesuch on March 19, 2012, 11:39:06 PM

I have seen before steering stems deformed (races made groves in the stems) from front end collision so they would not slide out. The steering stops still looked virgin! The bikes with "unicorn" top triple usually have the top triple just disintegrate, but later top triples are a bit stouter and the stems get deformed more. I remember one was particularly stubborn. If that is the case you will need to replace the bottom triple clamp anyway, so just cut the stem above the top race and bang away with a lead hammer on the bottom.

You could tell that they were damaged by looking at the gap at the bottom between the t-clamp and the frame

BTW the frames were still straight.

+1 it looks like the stem is deformed just like mentioned here and you may need to replace the steering stem;have some one close to you come to look at the stem tube at the top to confirm what we're saying...the part of the tube in between the 2 threaded sections on top looks bent. You may have no other choice than to cut off the top of the steering tube...this will let it slide out and then replace the steering stem or entire lower triple tree assembly....crash damage is probably the culprit.

Xnavylfr · « **Reply #13 on:** March 20, 2012, 06:13:15 AM »

are you staying with the same paint???
If not , get something to heat /HOT around the top bearing area. The grease will melt and catch fire but the heat will swell everything, then use the BFH( BIG F**CKING HAMMER) and a wood block.Place the wood on the top of the stem and beat it into submission. If you can place the bottom of the frame just behind the tripple tree/stem against something that doesn't move, this helps to cause all the hammering power to zero in on the stem and not be lost in shockwaves away from the neck!!

Xnavylfr(CHUCK)

Hinomaru · « **Reply #14 on:** March 20, 2012, 07:22:19 AM »

Looks like the top cone race (#7 in diagram) is cocked on the stem by the amount of threads that are visible. Try this ... Install (#12 in diagram) tightly to re-seat the race evenly and then remove. If this was successful, then equal amounts of stem threads will now be visible. Then the stem should drop out right out like it’s supposed to. If not, then your stem is bent.

That lower tree is rare & unique to the CB750 sold only in Germany and the Netherlands, so the idea here is to try and save it from destruction.

(click on the images for a larger view)

jonpals · « **Reply #15 on:** March 22, 2012, 11:49:06 AM »

A little update - now I have been hammering the stem for a couple og days, meybe som halfassed tries, but I tried the "big f?%&king hammer" along side of some wood.

As you know, brute force didn't do a thing.

So I found an small torch like this http://i1056.photobucket.com/albums/t379/Jonas_Palsgaard/280x300.gif
And thought - let's give it a try though it's useless at getting stuff hot.

So I warmed up the frame for 2-3 minuttes and gave it another try with the plastic mallet. And it gave way
So know it's free of the frame - and tomorow I will try to find the source that caused it to be so stuck in there.

Any ideas on how to see weather it's crooked or not?

THANKS FOR ALL YOUR HELP!!!

LesterPiglet · « **Reply #16 on:** March 22, 2012, 03:41:40 PM »

Straight edge/metal rule.

lucky · « **Reply #17 on:** March 22, 2012, 04:59:01 PM »

First you need to clean all that greasy mess so you can see what the $$@% is going on.
Do not beat on it anymore.

It looks like that washer on top is too small and is jammed on the threads.
I would try to carefully cut that washer off. CAREFULLY!!!

Don R · « **Reply #18 on:** March 22, 2012, 07:20:25 PM »

Something is fubar'd. Can't tell what exactly but it is cocked to one side.

grcamna2 · « **Reply #19 on:** April 06, 2012, 11:14:45 AM »

+1 looks to be wear above the top races on the stem & has worn it to an eccentric shape.

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Author Topic: Steering stem - STUCK OR #$%*ED?!? (Read 4862 times)

bollingball

bollingball

Hinomaru