A while back, I came off my scooter and damaged the front-fork. I got the fork replaced at the store where I bought it, but ever since there has been a fair amount of float / movement in the steering stem (and no, it is not movement in the folding/locking mechanism as so many YouTube videos indicate).
I finally disassembled it today to investigate, and discovered that the front fork is floating in the steering bearings. The front fork stem diameter is 28.8mm and the steering bearings inner diameter is 30.3mm. So the whole front fork is rattling around inside the steering bearings.
It seems to me that either the shop has installed the wrong fork, or that there is a ring (or similar) missing. Either I need to replace the fork with one with a slightly larger diameter, or the steering bearings need replacing with something of slight smaller diameter, or there is some sort of sleeve that needs to sit over the fork shaft inside the bearing.
Does anyone have any experience with the front-fork / steering bearing repairs on a Ninebot Max G30P? And can confirm what the correct dimensions should be of the front-fork stem and inner steering bearings?
UPDATE: I ended up buying a new steering bearing off of eBay (this one: https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/374858665061?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=705-154756-20017-0&ssspo=1wl-oboltaa&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=thrFUY1ySje&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY).
Turns out the two silver rings (shown in the eBay listing pic) were the bits missing. Adding those to sit inside the top steering bearing… and the scooter feels like it is brand new again!
I don’t really know much about scooters but have you looked for diagrams for yours? There should be a PDF floating around somewhere, if not from the manufacturer there are third party websites that stockpile various manuals and schematics like ifixit.com and repairmanual.com. Hope this helps!
Thanks. I have found a disassembly video and diagram. But I’m just still a bit doubtful due to slight variations in the model number between mine and the guide/video (g30 vs g30p).
I ended up ordering a new bearing (not too expensive). So we’ll see what arrives.
It doesn’t look easy to replace the bearing, so I’m hoping I can just add the part that is missing.
Hi, I’m pretty sure g30p/g30/g30d are the same hardware, the last letter is the region code. G30LP (usually grey/white in colour) is a different model, L for lite. see more on SH wiki
Ooh thanks. That looks useful.
You got it! If you need help in putting the ScooterHacking firmware you can ask me, I’ve done it on mine. Field weakening is incredible.
Another useful website I found is Joey’s wiki, and finally Ninebot Max playlist on yt is not bad at all, the repair videos are short but well done (I yt-dlp the whole playlist :D)
Btw I saved your post because mine wobbles a bit, so I might have to look into the same problem in the future (and I already tightened the locking mechanism)
Added an update to the post. Turns out it was two missing rings that are supposed to sit inside the top steering bearing.
Thanks again for your input.
A pleasure, glad you found the solution and thanks for sharing it! Well done