Headset Bearing Wrench

[ZRX_PAUL]

Anyone know where to buy a headset bearing wrench with provision (3/8" sq hole) for mounting a torque wrench?
I am preparing to change my headset bearings and seals. I have already got all the new bearings, races, special washers, spacers, oil seals, grease, etc.. I am making a cradle that bolts to my floor jack and cradles the frame, since you have to remove the triple trees completely for this job. I don't intend on disassembling anything until I have everything here.

[Rex Raider]

did my bearings on my rex right after i got her, if you need help let me know.
i am not sure what tool you are talking about for torquing i would need to look at it in person. give me call we can go for there.
514-0904

[Xusia]

Yeah. I usually use an inverse tachyon beam, but that's just because I really have no idea what you are talking about!! LOL.

[rickster]

ZRX Paul: Usually there is a spec. in the shop manual for the amount of torque needed to turn the steering head one way or the other after it's assembled. Tapered roller bearings (assuming your bike uses them) need to have a certain amount of preload to function properly, hence the torque setting. Of course there is a possibility that it uses caged ball bearings, which call for a different procedure altogether. It's best to look in a factory shop manual to get all the right info.

[rickster]

Ah, forgot about this; some bikes use a specification for using a spring scale. The scale is supposed to extend to a specific reading as you pull (turn) the steering head one direction or the other.

[TOM-CAT]

Anyone know where to buy a headset bearing wrench with provision (3/8" sq hole) for mounting a torque wrench?
I am preparing to change my headset bearings and seals. I have already got all the new bearings, races, special washers, spacers, oil seals, grease, etc.. I am making a cradle that bolts to my floor jack and cradles the frame, since you have to remove the triple trees completely for this job. I don't intend on disassembling anything until I have everything here.
I blieve you are refering to a spanner wrench with a 3/8 socket attachment point. I know you can find them around, but they come in many sizes. I just use the one that came in my bikes tool kit, for ajusting the rear shock's perload. Yes, you cannot hook it up to a torque wrench, but there should be a head nut that uses a standard socket that can be torqued to spech, above the nut you are refering to. If you tighen the head nut to spech, it should keep the lower nut from moving, also some blue threadlock wouldn't hurt. Obviously, don't over do the threadlock or it could seep into the bearings.

:2cents:

(Really not sure if any of that helped. :idunno:)

[kneedragger26]

Are you doing this on an 01 Kawasaki?:thinking:

[ZRX_PAUL]

Yes it is on my 2001 Kawasaki ZRX1200. The bearings are Timken style roller bearings. I have found the wrench that I need online in a couple of places. It is called an "Adjustable Pin Spanner Wrench" . They have a 3/8" square torque wrench provision built in them. The first one I found is $70 + shipping, the second is $57 + shipping. I read many testimonials on different websites that mostly all claim that it is very necessary to have the bearings tightened to the factory specification. The Kawasaki manual also says that it is important to torque the bearings to the correct spec and do the "fallback test" outlined in the manual.
So I guess that I will buy the proper wrench and do the job correctly, as per the manual's instruction. I am sure that it is better than having premature bearing failure from overtightening or a tank slapper from not getting the bearings tight enough.
Thanks for all the feedback, guys. Off to order online I go. Hey, I guess that it's only money. The wrench will also work to adjust some shocks also, so it's not just a one time deal.