Steering Stem Bearing Replacement Guide for 2017 Alta Redshift MX Dirt Bike
Shop parts for a 2017 Alta Redshift MX Dirt Bike.
The steering stem bearings on the 2017 Alta Redshift MX are what allow the forks and front wheel to pivot cleanly for steering, and when they wear out, the effect on front-end feel is immediate and unmistakable. Dirt bike use is hard on these bearings—repeated impacts, moisture intrusion, and constant oscillating loads under riding conditions all contribute to wear that develops slowly and then accelerates once the bearing surfaces are damaged.
How to Tell When Steering Stem Bearings Have Worn Out
Worn steering stem bearings on the Redshift MX announce themselves through feel before they cause obvious mechanical noise. The first symptom most riders notice is a change in how the bars move through their arc when the bike is stationary: instead of a smooth, friction-free sweep, the bars develop a sticky or notchy quality near the straight-ahead position.
More advanced wear produces additional symptoms. A clunking sensation felt through the bars during hard braking indicates that the stem is moving in the bearing set as braking forces shift the load direction. The Redshift MX’s front end may also feel vague or contribute to a head-shake tendency at speed, since worn bearings allow tiny amounts of stem movement that good bearings would not.
How Steering Stem Bearings Fail Over Time
The steering stem on the Redshift MX sits at the convergence of every force the front end can generate. Landing from a jump, hitting a sharp-edged obstacle, or braking hard into a corner all transfer significant axial and radial loads through the steering stem and directly into the bearing set. Unlike wheel bearings that spin continuously, steering stem bearings oscillate constantly under variable loads, which means their wear pattern develops unevenly.
Contamination accelerates the process considerably. Dirt bike use exposes the Redshift MX’s steering stem to mud, water, and fine abrasive grit in quantities that road bikes rarely encounter. Even with good seals in place, repeated pressure washing aimed at the steering stem, or extended riding in wet or muddy conditions, eventually drives moisture and debris past the seals and into contact with the bearing surfaces.
Gathering the Right Tools Before You Start
Before pulling the front end apart on the Redshift MX, confirm you have the right tools for every step. A motocross stand or paddock stand puts the bike at working height with the front wheel clear of the ground. The steering stem nut is large-diameter and typically requires a dedicated stem nut wrench or a large adjustable wrench—a socket may or may not fit depending on the Redshift MX’s design.
The Redshift MX uses tapered roller bearings in the steering stem from the factory, so you’ll need a complete tapered roller bearing kit sized for this model—upper and lower bearing cones, cups, and seals. Use a quality kit from a reputable supplier; cheap bearings in the steering stem are a false economy given how much effort the job requires. Grease is required—a lithium-complex or moly bearing grease rather than axle grease or general-purpose products.
Front-End Teardown and Stem Removal
With the Redshift MX on the stand, begin by removing the front wheel: loosen the axle nut and pinch bolts, slide the axle out, and lower the wheel clear. Remove the front fender next. Leave the handlebars and control assembly connected where possible; most of the time the bar assembly can be unbolted from the triple clamp and zip tied to the frame without disconnecting cables or brake lines, which saves significant time.
With the fork legs out, you can reach the stem nut at the top of the steering stem assembly on the Redshift MX. Remove the top triple clamp hardware to expose the stem nut, then unscrew the stem nut using the correct wrench. The top triple clamp lifts straight off once the nut is removed.
Race Removal and Bearing Inspection
Before pulling the races from the Redshift MX’s steering neck, take a moment to examine the condition of the removed bearing components. Wipe the old grease from the lower bearing cone and the bearing elements that came out with the stem. Look for flat spots on the balls or rollers—these appear as small bright facets on the bearing element surface. Examine the race surfaces for pitting, corrosion, or scoring.
Extracting the old races from the Redshift MX’s steering neck requires care. The races are a tight interference fit in the neck bore and must be driven out evenly around the circumference. A dedicated race puller or a correctly-sized bearing race removal tool is the right approach—using a punch or drift driven from one spot can cock the race and score the bore. Work methodically: a few light taps at one position, rotate, repeat.
Pressing In New Races and Packing the Bearings
Seating new races in the Redshift MX’s steering neck is one of the steps where the right tool makes a real difference. A race driver or a large socket that exactly matches the outer diameter of the new cup—not the bore diameter, but the cup face diameter—lets you drive the race in squarely without the risk of tilting it in the bore. Support the frame securely so it doesn’t flex or rock as you drive.
Pack the lower tapered roller bearing cone with fresh grease, working it thoroughly into the space between the rollers and cage. Coat the upper bearing as well. With both races seated in the Redshift MX’s steering neck, reassemble the stem through the neck with the lower tapered bearing in place, guiding the stem upward into the neck from below. Seat the lower bearing into its freshly-installed race before the stem passes fully into the neck.
Preload Adjustment and Final Reassembly
Getting stem preload correct on the Redshift MX takes a little patience. The stem nut controls bearing preload; thread it on and snug it gradually, checking the feel of the steering after each increment. The target is the snuggest setting that produces no binding or notching through the full lock-to-lock sweep.
With preload confirmed, reinstall the fork legs into the triple clamps and torque all pinch bolts. Reinstall the front wheel and torque the axle nut and any caliper or speedo hardware. Reattach the front fender and reinstall the handlebars at their previous position. Roll the bike forward off the stand onto both wheels and perform one last hands-on check: stand at the front of the Redshift MX, grip the bars, and sweep them lock to lock slowly.
Related Shopping Categories
Shop Steering Stem Bearing Kits for a 2017 Alta Redshift MX Dirt Bike.
Shop Fork Seals for a 2017 Alta Redshift MX Dirt Bike.
Shop Triple Clamps for a 2017 Alta Redshift MX Dirt Bike.
Shop Grease for a 2017 Alta Redshift MX Dirt Bike.
Shop Wheel Bearings for a 2017 Alta Redshift MX Dirt Bike.
Disclaimer: This guide is provided for general informational purposes only and is not intended to replace your dirt bike's official owner's manual. Always refer to your manufacturer's documentation for model-specific instructions, torque specifications, safety procedures, and maintenance requirements. If you are unsure or inexperienced, consider seeking assistance from a qualified mechanic or technician.
