has anyone replaced these yet, and if so, did you need any specialized tooling? i don't have a press, but might pick one up.

 

ok kiddos, here is something you'll need to know about your new sportster:

rear fork bearings are $60 (plus tax) from the dealer. buy them when the dealer is having a big sale.

you have to replace these sombitches every 30k miles. its part of the maintenance costs. and, you need a shop press and a special HD tool. or you can pay those blood-sucking liars at the dealer to do it. they'll tell you one price but try to charge you another because thats what dealers do.

 

I'am with stupid.
what are rear fork bearings? or do you mean rear (swing arm)
Please let stupid know Thanks

 

you and i call them swingarm bearings. hd calls them rear fork bearings. i was given part number 9209 at the dealer today. i seriously doubt its the correct number.

 

That's the part number (9209) shown in my 04 Parts Manual.
A check on the price from Lake Shore HD, www.lshd1.com shows $23.96 each, with flat rate shipping on orders <$300.00 at $9.99.

 

IMO, this is another one of those items in the Service Manual where the replacement frequency may be overkill provided you do a through inspection.

I have 50,000 miles on mine and check the swing arm bearings when I have the wheel off. As long as the swing arm moves freely and there is no lateral slop in the swing arm, changing them out every 30K miles is overkill IMO. These bearings aren't much different than the wheel bearings on the bike which constantly spin at high RPMs and typically are good for 75,000 miles. That doesn't mean that if they still look good at 60K - 70K I won't change them at that point just to be on the safe side.

Just my