The steering stem bearing is one of the most often overlooked bearings on any ATV, mainly because its a bit of work to get it out. However, it can affect how well your ATV steers if it gets worn out and freezes up, and should be replaced every season if you ride alot of water and mud.
I decided to use pictures of a bare frame so it would be easier to describe how to get the actual bearing out of the frame. The steps needed to get the steering stem out are fairly simple.
1. Remove front plastic
2. Remove handle bars from stem and just let them set out of the way, there is no need to remove the cables and wiring from the bars.
3. Loosen and remove tie rod ends from stem
4. Loosen stem clamp and remove
5. Stand ATV on grab bar and remove cotter pin and stem nut
6. Slide stem up and out of frame
Once the stem is removed, you will be able to see the upper dust seal
The snap ring pliers perform 2 functions depending on which way you have them set. For removale, you will want them to close the gap on the snap ring when squeezing the pliers.
Insert the tips of the snap ring, squeeze and remove the snap ring
From the bottom side of the frame, you will see the stem spacer that can be removed with your finger. Do not forget to reinsert this item when reassembling your parts
Even though it is zinc coated, corrosion will attack it. This is the same coating that those high dollar pivot bolts are coated with, now you can see that it does not prevent rust and corrosion however it will be able to be cleaned and oiled and reused as the zinc coating should prevent it from becoming pitted.