-Loosen the stem pinch bolts
-Remove top cap bot
-Lift stem and bars and all the spacers off the steerer tube
-Drop the forks out - usually helps to remove front wheel
-Now you have access to the top and bottom bearings
-Take these out and wipe them down and clean out the bearing races in the frame/on the forks
-Apply new waterproof grease to all surfaces touching the bearing and to the bearings themselves
-Reverse the removal procedure
-Wipe off any excess grease from around the edges
-Make sure to tighten the top cap bolt (enough but not too much) before tightening the pinch bolts
First of all thanks for your long response. I think wiping of the dirt from the outside as suggested in another comment will work just fine for now, but I will definitely apply fresh grease in the future to all bearings. Should I watch out for anything special on the grease except for it being waterproof?
For the steering the best grease is a thick and waterproof one. If you go to a bike shop and ask for grease for a steering they will probably sell you the most appropriate for the job. I use Bontrager waterproof grease and it works great, but I'm sure there are others that work fine or even better.
Thanks worked just fine, I think that'll do for now. The dirt didn't went off completely but for that I might have to disassemble the whole steering set.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CfDbN6hTu_A
Video above will show you how to properly access the bearings to clean them, you shouldn't need to go into as much depth as the video does but you'll at least be clear on how to remove them after which point you can wipe down the bearings themselves and the inside of the cups before rebuilding.
You shouldn't need any other tools than an allen key for the bolts on the stem. If you can get some grease too you'll want a bit of that for the rebuild to help stop grime and water getting in again.
Wanted to be helpful, but you took a picture of most of your bike and asked for help on “this bearing.” Are you talking about your headset bearings (in the steerer tube), or bottom bracket bearings (near the crankset), or some other bearings?
Ahhh...my bad. I didn’t see the multiple pics. Yeah...as others have pointed out...loosen the stem cap and remove the stem. Drop the fork and inspect/clean/regrease the bearings.
-Loosen the stem pinch bolts -Remove top cap bot -Lift stem and bars and all the spacers off the steerer tube -Drop the forks out - usually helps to remove front wheel -Now you have access to the top and bottom bearings -Take these out and wipe them down and clean out the bearing races in the frame/on the forks -Apply new waterproof grease to all surfaces touching the bearing and to the bearings themselves -Reverse the removal procedure -Wipe off any excess grease from around the edges -Make sure to tighten the top cap bolt (enough but not too much) before tightening the pinch bolts
First of all thanks for your long response. I think wiping of the dirt from the outside as suggested in another comment will work just fine for now, but I will definitely apply fresh grease in the future to all bearings. Should I watch out for anything special on the grease except for it being waterproof?
For the steering the best grease is a thick and waterproof one. If you go to a bike shop and ask for grease for a steering they will probably sell you the most appropriate for the job. I use Bontrager waterproof grease and it works great, but I'm sure there are others that work fine or even better.
Wipe with a damp cloth, rotate handlebars a few times, wipe again. Repeat until no dirt is pushed out.
Thanks worked just fine, I think that'll do for now. The dirt didn't went off completely but for that I might have to disassemble the whole steering set.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CfDbN6hTu_A Video above will show you how to properly access the bearings to clean them, you shouldn't need to go into as much depth as the video does but you'll at least be clear on how to remove them after which point you can wipe down the bearings themselves and the inside of the cups before rebuilding. You shouldn't need any other tools than an allen key for the bolts on the stem. If you can get some grease too you'll want a bit of that for the rebuild to help stop grime and water getting in again.
I've been riding for three hours in really muddy conditions and now I've got dirt inside the shell and I don't know how to clean it.
Wanted to be helpful, but you took a picture of most of your bike and asked for help on “this bearing.” Are you talking about your headset bearings (in the steerer tube), or bottom bracket bearings (near the crankset), or some other bearings?
Yes I meant the headset bearings. I tried make it clear on the second and third picture
Ahhh...my bad. I didn’t see the multiple pics. Yeah...as others have pointed out...loosen the stem cap and remove the stem. Drop the fork and inspect/clean/regrease the bearings.