Custom Vehicle Discussions > Screamin’ Eagle® Softail® Springer®

Need help with Steering Head Adjustment

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RKUC:
According to the manual, I turn the wheel to full left lock.  I then find the mark where the wheel falls away to the right (yes, I know all the steps).  My first problem is that at no point does my wheel fall away to the right.  At all.  It seems friction bound, if that makes sense.  It easily turns to the right, but only falls away to the left, somewhere close to dead center. 

Is the bearing retainer too tight?  Do I have bad bearings?  Can I get some advice?  I just greased the bearings and grease came out the bottom, but not the top (as I predicted).  It was suggested I use a small rope or something to "seal off" the bottom and force the grease out the top.  Should I do this first and then try the fall away again?  I'm lost at this point, please help.

RKUC:
Here is what I've done so far.. Please notify me of you suspect a screw-up!

I backed off the bearing retainer nut about 1/3 revolution.  The steering is much looser now and I can barely get a fall away to the right.  It's enough so that I can measure where the fall away breaks to either side.  I have adjusted this to within a 2" margin.  Please post me if you think you know something that I "should".

Thanks

CVOStreetglide:

--- Quote from: RKUC on October 26, 2025, 12:46:29 PM ---Here is what I've done so far.. Please notify me of you suspect a screw-up!

I backed off the bearing retainer nut about 1/3 revolution.  The steering is much looser now and I can barely get a fall away to the right.  It's enough so that I can measure where the fall away breaks to either side.  I have adjusted this to within a 2" margin.  Please post me if you think you know something that I "should".

Thanks

--- End quote ---

See if you can feel a drag or binding when moving the wheels very slowly to both sides.  If there is any doubt in your mind, I would recommend changing the bearings and of course races. 

Also It may help to clean out all of the grease completely and then manually repack the new bearings and races  by hand.

I hope everything resolves itself.

Regards

Jerry

bad00serg:
How many miles on the bike and what made you want to adjust it?

RKUC:
13,480 miles.  Today marks one year of ownership.  I'm slowly going through everything as the bike is 17 years old and I have no record of previous maintenance. The steering was stiff, as there was no fall away what so ever to the left, and not much to the right.  Since the adjustment, the fall away is on both sides, and close to how I understand it should be. 

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