I've just had a service at 28,000 miles and the tech reported a notchy steering head bearing. Now its been pointed out I can feel it myself with the bike on its centre stand and the front wheel off the ground. It feels like a self centering indent with the wheels pointing straight ahead. Has anyone had their head bearings replaced? I was wondering about how much it would cost. The bike is due its MOT in October so I think it would have to be done before then.
I had mine done under warranty. I'm not at home at the moment so can't access paper work but I think they were done at around 12,000 miles. Sorry can't help on cost.
£56 for both bearings plus labour at around 1.5-2 hours. NTN bearings original from dealer after 27.000 miles.
I think you meant to say "wellies" didn't you Chris, which would account for Uncle P's enlightened skills with changing gear......
If your handy with the spanners its easy enough to do yourself. It would probably take you a bit more than 2 hours if its your first go though. Imo they don't put sufficient grease on the bearings from new. When I stripped my 2012 bike when brand new to have the frame painted the bearings were almost dry.
John, I've read somewhere that Ducati fit ball races rather than taper rollers. Is that what was on your bike when you did the job? If that is right I think that could be improved on by fitting a set of taper rollers.
They are ball race bearings. All Ballz do a set of tapered to fit. Also found my set were dry when I replaced but the grease is only to protect from corrosion, it has zero affect on wear as the bearings are not rotating in normal operation.
Interesting point about the grease. It still seems wrong to me to not pack a new bearing with grease. Ian, you need to get the front wheel off the ground so the bars/bearing can move side to side without tyre friction. That may be difficult to do in Loomies car park
grease is not only for lubrication, it also keeps the water and particulates out... That is why pressure washing around the head races is a bad idea, you will blast the grease out and subsequently let dirt / water in. The same is true for lots of bearings, think of swing arm bearings, suspension joints, etc, they have limited movement. coman, I can't recall now if they were taper rollers or not. It was a number of years ago and I've replaced a whole bunch of head bearings on various bikes since then, and drunk a whole lot of beer
