If anyone is interested, I just replaced my steering neck bearings on my Fatboy for $20. You can buy a complete set (2 bearings and races) at Autozone for $20. They are Timken bearing L44643 and race (cone) L44610. Autozone's part # is BT100. Made in USA. The local HD shop wanted $29 for 1 bearing and race. That's $58 for both sets. Now that's one reason why we call them "Stealership". Autozone even had them in stock. Crazy I tell ya. Does this website have a place to post tips for other members without having to post a new thread?

 

GREAT tip......I will save that info for sure.....thanks

 

Great tip!!! We all like to save money.

 

if i can get a bearing # off the bearing i need i can usually pick it up at the parts store for alot cheaper than the dealer. they wanted 60 bucks a piece for bearings for my 4 wheeler at the dealer got them at the parts store for 25 bucks each with a lifetime warranty.

 

how did you wear out a steering bearing..

 

that's what i was thinking.

 

They are supposed to be taken out, cleaned, checked and repacked at the 50,000 mile service, most don't do it and the people that I know that do it, just go ahead and put new bearings in.

 

Like some of you have noted...one would think they would be about impossible to wear out, but they get the fore-n-aft stress as opposed to a normal all-around wear. Every time you pull out or slow down...the very back and front of the bearing and the races take the load. I certainly don't think the normal biker would ever wear a set out, but I have heard about very high mileage bikes that get the dreaded "clunk" due to bearing wear. I personally don't think you could wear a set out in 50,000 miles either, but I suppose it depends on your riding style, routine service and the weight of the bike and what you haul.

 

the cross bones steering neck bearings go out early do to a inherent bad destine and should be replaced every 20K along with new bushings in the lower part of the springer front end and the front wheel spokes trued and wheel balanced. it is advised to replace the mono shock too with a quality shock like works performance shocks or something that is of high quality.

if this is not done the bike will develop a shimmy.

these are heavy bikes and there is a heavier stress on the neck bearings of springer front ends than would be with a conventional hydraulic front forks

 

I want to hear that one. I know owners with 100-200,000 plus miles never had to replace them . I have never replaced one.
Maybe I missed something. I checked my book Neck bearing lube at 10K intervals.
Not a word about replacing them at 50K .
But I always get the good Harley they never have all these issue on the net.