Wheel endplay wheel bearing adjustment

SLC Rider · #1 07-31-2007, 04:43 PM

I was hoping one of you could tell me what the correct adjustment is for endplay on my wheel bearings. I have a 94 FLHTC Electra Glide Classic. I have ordered a manual but it won't be here for about 7 more days and I want to adjust them tomorrow. If I adjust it to .001 or .002 is this acceptable?

Thanks for the input.

--Jason

crampfan · #2 07-31-2007, 04:53 PM

Factory specs. are .004-.018 I have mine set at .004

SLC Rider · #3 07-31-2007, 05:16 PM

Cramp, thanks for the quick reply. Like a fool I didn't adjust them when I changed the grease out last week, so off they come again.

greezymonkee · #4 08-02-2007, 10:18 AM

Forgive me if this question seems ignorant. Perhaps I am just overthiinking this, but I'm certain someone can get my head straight on this. I've had my wheel off many times, and always just put it back together as it was. Where is the measurement made for the end play? Is that adjusted any other way than by the width of the axle spacers? Yeah, I know the answer is probably very obvious, but this monkey has been working too long in the summer heat and I've lost my last brain cell to the cool libations on these steamy daze! Many thanks to all for the info! (no matter how obvious to others... I'm just an ignorant monkey with a serious riding jones!)

GM

crampfan · #5 08-02-2007, 11:06 AM

When you have the wheel bearings clean and dry, install the bearings with the spacer, push the axle thru the bearings, and install enough spacers/sockets washers ect. to take up enough space to tighten the axle nut. now the in and out movement you feel in the axle is the bearing end play, aboutthe only way you can really measure it is with a dial indicator. if you need to adjust. some used shims, some used a different legnth spacers. I always measure and cut the spacers on a lathe to get it right on the money. remember too tight is a bad thing. so always recheck after you are done adjusting. I hope this is clear enough for you. Bob.

greezymonkee · #6 08-02-2007, 04:16 PM

Ahhhh Sooo. Clear as the azure sky! Many thanks for your your patience crampfan. It's hard bein' the greezymonkee with the ridin' jones. Guess the "adjustment" term through me for a loop. Glad there are greater minds than mine out there!

GM

greezymonkee · #7 08-02-2007, 04:18 PM

Hmmm. Guess you could use a feeler gauge to check that. Yea?

SLC Rider · #8 08-02-2007, 04:32 PM

You will not want to use a feeler guage. You will need a dial indicator and a magnetic base. You can get these from Harbor Freight tools for about $30 total.The link below is the best article I could find on adjusting the end play. It has a diagram. Basically you want to clean the bearings and put them back in the wheel and back on the bike with no grease. Torque to specs and test for end play. Once you have the end play correct pull it back apart and grease it. My front tire took about 90 minutes total, its not real bad for a do it yourselfer.

http://www.hdrcgb.org.uk/technical/1999/wheel_bearings.htm

kiwidave2 · #9 08-04-2007, 05:57 AM

yeah that's a link off our club site....I expanded it a little in a later version based on my own experience in the garage.....

hope this helps

http://www.harley-davidson-hangout.c...-bearings.html