Front Wheel Bearings Failed

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Jul 17, 2017 | 11:28 AM

danielyuhn

Thread Starter

6th Gear

Joined: Aug 2016

Posts: 12

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From: Birmingham, MI

Front Wheel Bearings Failed

Took my '15 Ultra Limited with 16,500 miles in for pre-trip inspection July 15, 2017. Shared with service advisor that the bike has a whirring noise up front, I have suspected wheel bearings.
Yep, they're bad and I'm six weeks out of warranty. Service advisor told me they were replaced with a different part number, I'll guess that means a different vendor. So I take it H-D knows they have some bad ones out there. I have read others posts here about bad bearings.

Last edited by danielyuhn; Jul 17, 2017 at 11:36 AM.

Jul 17, 2017 | 02:36 PM

hardheaded

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Oct 2012

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From: St.Louis Mo.

did they do it under warrenty anyway ? they should have went to bat for you. the 25mm wheel bearings are junk ! mine failed at 2500 miles. i hope the new bearings are better.

Jul 17, 2017 | 03:54 PM

todd-67

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Joined: Jun 2009

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From: OH

Quote:

Originally Posted by danielyuhn

Service advisor told me they were replaced with a different part number, I'll guess that means a different vendor. So I take it H-D knows they have some bad ones out there.

There are new ones on the 17's. They have a metal seal and I have already read of one failure so I think HD knows they have an issue and they may have half way fixed it but I remain skeptical.

Jul 17, 2017 | 04:09 PM

tully_mars

Road Master

Joined: Nov 2008

Posts: 1,071

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From: LA - (Lower Alabama)

I replace the bearings with every new tire. My front bearings were bad on my 2010 when I went to replace the front tire at 13k miles. Same on my buddy's 2014 Ultra when he went to replace his front tire at 12k miles. Cheap bearings make for a replaceable item with every tire change.

Jul 17, 2017 | 05:35 PM

torchmaster

Road Warrior

Joined: Apr 2007

Posts: 1,641

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From: florida

I think it all depends on how much grease the monkey puts in them.

My 15 sgs went 50,000 on the originals when I traded last week for 17 sgs.

My wife's 15 sgs has 18,000 And they are making noise, need to be replaced.

Check them often folks.

Jul 17, 2017 | 05:44 PM

jm7480

Cruiser

Joined: Oct 2014

Posts: 185

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From: New York

I change the bearings every third tire change . 100 K miles on my 2005 and 38K on my 2014 . I really liked the old style that I could re grease every time i had the wheel off .So much for progress.

Jul 17, 2017 | 08:34 PM

EasternSP

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Joined: Jun 2006

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From: King George, VA

I just replaced my front bearings on my 2016 RGU at 23K miles. Putting a new front tire on during a pre-trip maintenance routine. I rolled the wheel and could hear the right one grumbling. Replace them both at the same time.