Reply To: Stiff steering

Ron,

Back to my first reply.  If you did not change any components in the swivel the implication is that something is misplaced or has become misaligned.

<span style=”line-height: 1.5;”>Things to check:</span>

<span style=”line-height: 1.5;”>Correct location/seating of the upper cup</span>

<span style=”line-height: 1.5;”>The spring is not fouling</span>

The cup spacer ring is present – and correct thickness.  Check the assembly by clamping the components up tight on the bench.  The ball should be free to turn inside when the cups and spacer are all firmly clamped together.

It is important that the ball, cups and spacer are clamped tightly together to prevent the cups from turning within the hub.  If the components  are in <span style=”line-height: 1.5;”>good condition it should not be possible to overtighten them.  If the spacer thickness has ever been reduced too much (in an attempt to take up wear), it is then possible to overtighten the assembly when inserting the shims below the lower cup.   If the spacer thickness is the problem you will need to place appropriate shim(s) between the lower cup and the spacer.  </span>

Furthermore, if you have the replacement “adjustable” bottom cover plates, designed to eliminate the shimming operation, it is very easy to trap the ball between the cups if the spacer is too thin.

Not wishing to teach anybody to suck eggs so I hope this helps.

B….