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Post by sleeper on Jul 2, 2016 14:34:40 GMT -5
hello all
while riding, noticed a gradual increase in what i might call some "squishiness" in the front end. hard to describe properly, but when i deliberately rattle the steering hard while riding, it felt like there was a softness. like... a very loose and unpredictable steering response in front end. eventually i was able to even move the handlebars out of alignment just by pulling. sure enough, it got worse and i had to stop and park it, it was so scary.
so, i searched here and did not really find what i need. there is the one post about a taotao with loose steering, but that assembly isn't exactly what i have. i had also found a nice photo and explanation in the old forum -- but i can't seem to find it now.
anyway, what i think i am looking at is the front fork bearings. i see a large (maybe 22mm or larger) brass crown and brass jam nut. i was able to loosen both. retightened best i could but did not see any improvement.
i think i need to at least inspect the bearings. can anyone explain to me how this goes? perhaps some photos if available....
thanks much, any help is appreciated!
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Post by tortoise on Jul 2, 2016 15:31:21 GMT -5
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Post by lain on Jul 2, 2016 15:32:49 GMT -5
Did you check the tire pressure? Sounds like the symptoms of a tire losing pressure. If that's fine I would check the handlebar bolt, it sometimes becomes loose and can make it feel sort of weird, but unlikely it is that.
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Post by sleeper on Jul 2, 2016 15:52:12 GMT -5
forgot to mention.... we are talking about a 2014 SSR Pacifica 150
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Post by sleeper on Jul 2, 2016 15:53:52 GMT -5
tire pressure is good. there is a bolt and clamp for the handlebars and that has been tightened, but the flaw is more in the front end itself....
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Post by lain on Jul 2, 2016 17:48:26 GMT -5
tire pressure is good. there is a bolt and clamp for the handlebars and that has been tightened, but the flaw is more in the front end itself.... Well you are going to have to put it up on the center stand so the front end is off the ground, then start at the bottom and go to the top looking for what may be loose. Normally everything should be snug, but not snagging, and should not be able to have play. Does the wheel move on the axle? Does the shocks move in the tripletree? Does the tripletree move up/down in the frame/housing? Does the handlebars move slightly without moving the wheel? |
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Post by cyborg55 on Jul 2, 2016 21:31:36 GMT -5
Loose axel nut,,,,fork tube top clamp loose,,,low tire pressure ,,wheel bearing starting to go away,,,steering stem getting loose or any combination of the above,,,edit,,,,check the frame at the head for cracks
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Post by JerryScript on Jul 3, 2016 15:08:51 GMT -5
I have the 2014 SSR Pacifica as well. The nut you need to adjust is behind the black piece of plastic at the top of the headlight assembly. You have to remove the headlight assembly and that black top, but not the glove box assembly on the other side. Be careful with the wires around it, they get in the way and you have to be careful not to pull to much on them or you might unseat a connector.
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Post by sleeper on Jul 4, 2016 9:13:30 GMT -5
thank you jerry. and this is what i figured out as well. tore into the front end, and i did remove glove box and front cowl entirely. in the end i needed to. what i found is the setup is much like a regular motorcycle. except cheaply done. there is a very large brass nutset atop the fork and headset. loosen the jamnut and then the brass crown nut. with the front wheel in the air, you can pull the entire fork down. there are bearings (cheap ball type) at the bottom and top. access the lower by pulling the assembly down. access the upper by pushing the fork all the way up. dig around in there and you will expose the bearings. mine thankfully did have some grease. i repacked them without completing the disassembly. then rotated them both in their races. retightened everything with the wheel still up. then played with the nut tension while pulling up-down and side-side on the fork. got it just tight enough to minimize play. took it for a quick ride last nite and it seemed good. i'm hoping this adjustment will be good enough for now. but take heed all. this scooter was lightly used and has not many miles (ha, exactly 1,776 miles today in fact!). so these bearings go real quick. had i not tore into it, it would have been an injury for certain.  |
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Post by crawford on Jul 4, 2016 13:02:11 GMT -5
My Ice Bear has a stabilizer shock keeping wheel wobble to a minim do yours and other have one?
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Post by sleeper on Jul 4, 2016 19:15:55 GMT -5
mine does not have this feature. only shocks are liquid-dampened verticals
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Post by JerryScript on Jul 4, 2016 19:33:36 GMT -5
Glad to hear you got it worked out!
Since you bought it used, there's no telling how it was treated by it's former owner. I haven't had any troubles other than tightening it up during my PDI (force of habit), and I'm pushing 8,000 miles soon. I have had a bit of wobble in my rear, and I plan to replace the rear axle and seal soon just for safety.
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Post by lain on Jul 5, 2016 3:01:51 GMT -5
Well if you find wheel bearings I'd like to know too. Been searching for some for my front 12" rim
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Post by sleeper on Jul 5, 2016 22:21:27 GMT -5
no no actually, not used. i took this one out of the crate myself. i don't feel like i treated it all too bad, with this many miles i'm not sure how much damage i could have done. feels like i've been treating it pretty lightly.
i'm thankful it appears to be an adjustment, so maybe no damage to the bearing. and they weren't dry. i've yet to put any more miles on it, so i'll report back on how it handles later.
the rear axle deal, haven't even looked at it. i will be thinking about that for later and may be hitting you for advice on that one.
thanks again for the insight
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Post by rockynv on Jul 8, 2016 3:44:19 GMT -5
If you drained out and replaced the lubricant in the gear box when you did your PDI then you should be good for a while. The fluid in there from the factory is more of a shipping fluid and not to be ridden on. The engine oil, gear lube, brake fluid and if water cooled the coolant all need to be flushed out and replaced before you even dare to start up a drop shipped Chinese bike. Surprised you did not find the steering head to be a bit loose when you did your PDI. Checking it and packing it with grease the day you uncrate it before installing the handlebars or front wheel should be SOP.
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