Just removed the rear wheel on my 08 Ultra to change rear tire. When I took everything apart, I noticed the bushing/bearing in the drive pulley had some play or side to side movement. The bearing does not make a noise when rotating, but when you slide the drive pulley over the axle shaft by itself, you can feel some movement.
Is it normal to have some lateral movement there, when everything is put together and torqued up there is no movement.
I ordered a new bearing and bushing but don't know if I really need it.
Doesn't the rubber isolators inside the drive pulley compensate for some movement.
Sorry for the longwinded question. Don't live near a dealer so I will have to change bearing myself, if needed.

 

Change the bearing if there is movement other than the normal rotating motion. The ISD rubbers are not designed to compensate for any free play.

 

Don't just assume that is the bearing with the lateral movement. I have my stock rear belt pulley off my 08 FLHX(taken off at 5000 miles) and the bearing has NO lateral movement BUT the extended race that is essentially another wheel spacer that is on the inner side of the bearing, does have some. Take a good look and see what is actually moving. If it is the extended race moving, you are fine. Once you take a good look you will see what I mean. The bearing and the extended race are 2 separate pieces.

 

that inner spacer seems to have the most movement. but if you take the drive pulley and slide the wheel axle through it and put the axle on the bike with just the drive pulley with no wheel, there is some side to side movement there. I hope that makes sense.

 

Like I said, my pulley is not on the bike. So I can grab the bearing with my finger and it has NO side to side movement but when I grab the spacer/extended race it moves slightly. This is a non issue when the axle is tightened. It is pn #9285. The old bearing needs to be pressed out then the new bearing needs to be pressed in.

 

Just went out and tried the pulley, when you hold the inner spacer tight there is no play in the bearing. All the play is in the inner spacer. There is no movement when everything is tight.

 

does that 08 have the 25mm bearings ? if it does and you have the wheel off, replace them.

 

Don't know about bearing size. But I put everything back together and there is no movement at all. I still have a new bearing and spacer ordered.
By the way I got 10,100 miles out of my tire. Probably could have stretched it a bit more but I don`t like a worn tire.