Steering head bearing seals

**Mr. Ron** · #1 11 Jun 2005

Hello.
I'm in the middle of a complete front-end re-build on the "89 PD (i'll write up a report when i'm done. You guy's are gonna freak!!) One problem i would like to adress is keeping the steering head bearings clean. Less than 20k miles and mine are filled with sand, dirt and crap! I'll start experimenting this weekend, but if someone's got a solution to the crappy metal disk top and bottom, lets share some ideas...

**Mr. Ron** · #2 11 Jun 2005

...Well, i've found the first flaw. Dirt comes in through the spindle from below and spews out the key-hole! A rubber plug and some silicone should solve the problem.
I think i just answered my own question, but if you have any more ideas on sealing off the bearings properly i would like to here them.

**Grant Johnson** · #3 11 Jun 2005

This is a tough one!

I put a grease fitting in the stem, and pumped it full every once in a while - that pushed the grit out. (DID seal the stem too!)

Also a rubber strip glued to the frame at the bottom covered up the works a bit, same at top.

Changed bearings at 150,000 and they were CLEAN.
Grant

**Mr. Ron** · #4 14 Jun 2005

Quote:

Originally posted by Grant Johnson:
This is a tough one!

Also a rubber strip glued to the frame at the bottom covered up the works a bit, same at top.

Changed bearings at 150,000 and they were CLEAN.
Grant

Hmmm, i've considered wrapping the bottom seal(can i really call it that??) with some waxed twine that they use in seal packings. Maybe help to keep the water out?