Front shaft/handlebar bearings gone By vintner (Read 885 times)

[vintner]

Unverified as this writing, but I think my top bearing for the front shaft is gone.

I pulled out the scoot this morning ready for my ride to work. Before I got to the end of the driveway, I could feel the handlebars were unstable, shifting and shaking. I checked the wheel/tire, and fork area but nothing was there.

The reason I feel it is the bearing (and again, I have not opened anything up yet) is that when I brake hard, the shaft and handlebars shift and feel loose like the bearing just isn't fit properly. I am guessing that the braking may have worked the bearing assembly up and out of the area where it had been pressed into place.

Does anyone have experience in this area?
Is the bearing pressed into place? If so, I will need tools.
If this is something I can fix, are parts available?
If this is going to be too extensive a project, I will need to take it to someone, and so far, I haven't found a good shop in Minneapolis area. I also don't know how I will get it anywhere with the problem.

[richardthescooter2]

Welcome vintner to our forum, It could be your front bearing but I would first check your brake caliper make sure all bolts are tight, check your disc brakes, make sure their good. check your bolts holding your tire on. I know it sounds dumb, but make sure you don't have a flat tire

[vintner]

I think it must be the bearings or the associated hardware that either has failed or come loose.

I was home at noon. I checked tires earlier today, but did again at noon. I check all hardware on wheels, brakes, etc. All looks to be correct. While standing in front of the scoot, I grabbed the handlebars and I can wiggle the bars back and forth and to the sides.

Now I need to figure out how much or hopefully, how little I need to take apart to do a full diagnosis and repair.

I have checked online scooter parts stores and do find bearings, so at least they are available and there is a bearing store not too far from me, so if I can figure out what is wrong (bearing or otherwise) I should be able to get parts soon.

[vintner]

Yup, that was the problem. Well, kind of.

I took some time before I took my wife out for our anniversary dinner and stripped the scooters front end off. I could grab the handlebars and move them and I could see the shaft inside the frame moving.

I removed enough plastic to be able to get tools to the nuts. I loosened the top nut easily (should have been tight against the lower nut) and then tightened the lower nut. As it snugged down, the handlebars lost their wiggle. I secured the top nut tight against the lower nut so hopefully both will hold in place.

By this time I was dripping sweat and needed to get cleaned up for that sushi dinner waiting for us, so the assembly will need to wait until Friday night or more likely Saturday morning. As I drank my saki later that evening, I was confident that the problem had been found and the solution was simple. It was a good night.

[vintner]

Sometimes I hate it when I am right.

After reassembly, and a short test ride, I knew it wasn't right.

I stripped it down further and found the bearings out of the race. It is shot. Tomorrow I check shops for a new bearing assembly. Wish me luck.

Any suggestions in Minneapolis?

[Alleyoop]

Jim from Rapid Repair is in MILLTOWN Wisconsin which is not far from you he might know where to get bearings.
Alleyoop

[vintner]

Parts on order from Thrifty Scooters, hopefully the won't dally on shipping.

Now my questions-how much should the hardware be tightened to properly fit with the bearings? The bearings ride primarily in two points, top and bottom (frame to shaft neck) but also has contact on the sides. Top and bottom are primary strength points for weight of the scooter as well as offering little resistance for turning. The sides are a impact point when braking with the front brake. Too little tightening and the bearings are sloppy in the guide and may be banged around and be damaged (again). Can they be too tight? Should the nuts be snugged down just so the bearings and shaft are not sloppy?

Any specs for this procedure or suggestions on reassembly?

[jct842]

I just tightened up stem bearings on a 50cc "handsome boy type" scooter. Had noticeable slop when braking on pavement. all it took was a 1/4 turn, just where you can feel resistance then back up a blond hair. I took off the handle bars and found just a lock nut and no saftey washer. when I was satisfied with the adjustment I put a drop of red lock tight on top of the threads of the lock nut after I snugged up up good and tight. it doesn't take much to feel loose.

[vintner]

That is very helpful jct, gives me a much better feeling to the degree of 'horsin' it down that I need to do.

Oops...just got a call from Thrifty, no parts in stock. Gotta keep looking for the neck bearings.

[vintner]

Got in a bearing set by mail. Not even close to fitting my scooter. I can't find anything online, so was my scooter build with odd parts or are they just not listed on websites?

I guess today I will drive around Minneapolis to look for someone that has bearings or can provide names of someone that would carry them.

[vintner]

Went to a large bearing sales location-told me I was S-O-L.
By chance, stopped at Go Moto on Washington. Darned if he didn't have the bearing. Paid for that and ready to start installing tonight.
;D

[vintner]

YEAH! Ming Sue is back on the road.
I can feel that she is smoother riding that when I first took her out when she was new. Braking is more firm, no shifting of the handlebars as she did earlier.
So happy to be able to ride it again. However, next week's forecast is either hot or raining. May not get to ride it much, but at least I will be able to put my garage back into shape again and be able to park the Vue inside.

[richardthescooter2]

vintner, glad you and scoot back on the road again.