250es steering stem bearings

[kyle]

is it hard to replace the steering stem bearings on a 1985 250 es big red.mine needs replacing BAD and my engine rattles.what couls cause a rattle.it has a new piston and rings and valves. any ideas.
thanks
kyle

[ScottZJ]

From what I remember, they arent hard to change the bearings but you need a few special tools. bearing puller and a good friend. You also could just a hoist or something to hold the trike up while you do this. Sorry not sure what the engine noise could be........peace

[Unregistered]

You can replace the bearings very easily without any special tools. You do not need a bearing puller. I just replaced mine with a drift to remove the races in the frame and 2 thin screwdrivers to remove the lower race on the stem. If yours have been run loose, check the fit of the lower race to the stem. Mine were loose and the play in the bearing allowed the race to dent the stem slightly causing a loose fit between the race and the stem. I solved that problem by replacing the bearing with a tapered roller bearing which has a taller inner race. Part #SSH 200 will work for you. Search the internet for that bearing number and you will find many hits. All Balls has a bearing with a different number but they cross reference it to SSH 200. The bearings are not available through a bearing supplier but must be obtained through the specialty suppliers such as Dennis Kirk etc. Another benefit to a tapered bearing is that you get a cool sticker to put on your ATC, lunch box or wherever else it may look good. Good luck, GlennMc.