Wheel bearings
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Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 143
Likes: 21
From: SE Ohio
Wheel bearings
I was on a trip 450 miles from home doing some riding in the Smokey mountains. I started hearing a noise coming from the front. I am thinking what is that noise. I keep riding and I start thinking, if this was a car that noise would be a bad wheel bearing. A friend had trailered his bike and had a bike jack with him,so we jack bike up and spin the front wheel. Sure enough,bad wheel bearing. Bike has 8000 miles on it. One guy with us has 70,000 miles on his bike ,original wheel bearings. So here we are in a motel parking garage changing the wheel bearings in my front wheel. JP cycle was within walking distance so I got a bearing puller from them, also picked up a heat gun to heat the hub. I tried using a hammer and punch ,but couldn’t get a hard enough hit on the bearing to get it to move. The bearings are interference fit. I also think we took the wrong bearing out first. The ABS side is a thinner bearing and would have most likely come out easier. It took about 45 minutes to get old bearings out and the new bearings in and the bike back together. I put the bearings in the hotel freezer over night to help with the install.
Last edited by fabricater; May 23, 2026 at 08:56 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,160
Likes: 11,249
From: San Diego, CA
I was on a trip 450 miles from home doing some riding in the Smokey mountains. I started hearing a noise coming from the front. I am thinking what is that noise. I keep riding and I start thinking, if this was a car that noise would be a bad wheel bearing. A friend had trailered his bike and had a bike jack with him,so we jack bike up and spin the front wheel. Sure enough,bad wheel bearing. Bike has 8000 miles on it. One guy with us has 70,000 miles on his bike ,original wheel bearings. So here we are in a motel parking garage changing the wheel bearings in my front wheel. JP cycle was within walking distance so I got a bearing puller from them, also picked up a heat gun to heat the hub. I tried using a hammer and punch ,but couldn’t get a hard enough hit on the bearing to get it to move. The bearings are interference fit. I also think we took the wrong bearing out first. The ABS side is a thinner bearing and would have most likely come out easier.
IMHO... It is critical not to side load the wheel bearing when pressing it into the wheel. Side loading the bearing will almost certainly lead to early failure.
Do a search, there is much discussion on this.
Short version:
You need to use the correct tool for install.
If you get a cheaper tool, that doesn't evenly press on both inner & outer edges of the bearing during install, flip the install piece over so it is perfectly flat while pressing the bearing into the hub.
Also, you need to install the correct bearing first, into the wheel hub, then the second bearing will press onto the spacer. This gives you the proper spacing for brakes.
Consult the factory service manual for the bike you have to get the bearing sequence.
Good luck with your repair...
Last edited by hattitude; May 23, 2026 at 08:44 AM.
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 143
Likes: 21
From: SE Ohio
IMHO... It is critical not to side load the wheel bearing when pressing it into the wheel. Side loading the bearing will almost certainly lead to early failure.
Do a search, there is much discussion on this.
Short version:
You need to use the correct tool for install.
If you get a cheaper tool, that doesn't evenly press on both inner & outer edges of the bearing during install, flip the install piece over so it is perfectly flat while pressing the bearing into the hub.
Also, you need to install the correct bearing first, into the wheel hub, then the second bearing will press onto the spacer. This gives you the proper spacing for brakes.
Consult the factory service manual for the bike you have to get the bearing sequence.
Good luck with your repair...
Do a search, there is much discussion on this.
Short version:
You need to use the correct tool for install.
If you get a cheaper tool, that doesn't evenly press on both inner & outer edges of the bearing during install, flip the install piece over so it is perfectly flat while pressing the bearing into the hub.
Also, you need to install the correct bearing first, into the wheel hub, then the second bearing will press onto the spacer. This gives you the proper spacing for brakes.
Consult the factory service manual for the bike you have to get the bearing sequence.
Good luck with your repair...
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,160
Likes: 11,249
From: San Diego, CA
I have had multiple classes on bearing removal and installation,how to store bearing properly and such. I have probably removed and replaced more bearings than most have ever seen. That being said. When you are in a hotel parking garage with limited tools ,you use what you have to get the job done. In my case the bearings got drove in with a hammer striking the outer race and set with punch ,to limit damage to bearing.
I apologize if it seemed I was talking down to you....
I do not know you, nor do I remember ever reading a post by you, so I had no hint of your experience or knowledge level.
When I read about you driving in a wheel bearing with a hammer, I felt I should offer the info I did. No disrespect intended...
Glad you got it fixed to your satisfaction...
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 143
Likes: 21
From: SE Ohio
I apologize if it seemed I was talking down to you....
I do not know you, nor do I remember ever reading a post by you, so I had no hint of your experience or knowledge level.
When I read about you driving in a wheel bearing with a hammer, I felt I should offer the info I did. No disrespect intended...
Glad you got it fixed to your satisfaction...
I do not know you, nor do I remember ever reading a post by you, so I had no hint of your experience or knowledge level.
When I read about you driving in a wheel bearing with a hammer, I felt I should offer the info I did. No disrespect intended...
Glad you got it fixed to your satisfaction...
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