Front wheel bearing install
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 227
Likes: 32
From: ok
It's up to you if you want to potentially waste money on new bearings, a new sleeve, spacer, and then potentially gamble your life on a $400-500 wheel. HD bearings are lowest bidder and the scary thing($$$) is the same thing goes for the ones in the motor.
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 961
Likes: 192
From: Chicago
So the crap Harley bearings failed at 4500 miles, your buddy replaced them lasting 1500 miles, and then you replaced them again which also failed? I'm guessing the hub got messed up by the first ones failing or the ones your buddy did the second time if that's the case. I've had to replace a rear wheel because of the hub getting roached out by crap HD bearings.
It's up to you if you want to potentially waste money on new bearings, a new sleeve, spacer, and then potentially gamble your life on a $400-500 wheel. HD bearings are lowest bidder and the scary thing($$$) is the same thing goes for the ones in the motor.
It's up to you if you want to potentially waste money on new bearings, a new sleeve, spacer, and then potentially gamble your life on a $400-500 wheel. HD bearings are lowest bidder and the scary thing($$$) is the same thing goes for the ones in the motor.
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 227
Likes: 32
From: ok
well the thing is I don't know when the stock wheels were swapped out for these so the bearings failing could be less than 4500 hundred miles. I agree it was probably toast from the first install and then kept getting worse and worse from each install then this is the result. I'll prolly just suck up the loss and buy a new wheel I have to much into my bike for it to get wrecked cause of a damn wheel. Any way to check if the axle is straight other than visual inspection?
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Road Master
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 961
Likes: 192
From: Chicago
ran a straight edge on the axel it does look straigh but will take your advice on a machine shop. Currently pricing out parts from surdyke..
Sigh...ill never get my leather pros
Club Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 11,175
Likes: 2,483
From: Nor Cal
Looks like the back story just keeps getting worse 
Bad assembly and disassembly practices have built on each other. Analysis through pics probably won't work so well. I'll leave you with this...if you want to send me the wheel, I'll check it, deburr it and if usable I'll corrrectly install the bearings/shim/sleeve.
Send me a PM if interested, otherwise good luck
.
Bad assembly and disassembly practices have built on each other. Analysis through pics probably won't work so well. I'll leave you with this...if you want to send me the wheel, I'll check it, deburr it and if usable I'll corrrectly install the bearings/shim/sleeve. Send me a PM if interested, otherwise good luck
.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 15,973
Likes: 7,088
From: Sandy Eggo's North County
What is the carrying capacity of those "Timkins?"
Also, who's grease are you using? (I expect it to be EP #2.)
The Harley bearings clearly are not up to the task.
At the 6,000 mile mark, I replaced~
The rear wheel
The axle
All wheel bearings
Brake rotor
Brake caliper stay arm
Brake pads
All covered under warranty.
The tech told me he's done quite a few wheel bearings lately. The dealership uses an upgraded wheel bearing with Shell Darina AX grease.
Also, who's grease are you using? (I expect it to be EP #2.)
The Harley bearings clearly are not up to the task.
At the 6,000 mile mark, I replaced~
The rear wheel
The axle
All wheel bearings
Brake rotor
Brake caliper stay arm
Brake pads
All covered under warranty.
The tech told me he's done quite a few wheel bearings lately. The dealership uses an upgraded wheel bearing with Shell Darina AX grease.
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 961
Likes: 192
From: Chicago
well im learning a lot today lol and I really appreciate the offer but the wheels paint is not the best shape it's currently chipping off seems like the old wheels were made with a black denim paint and contrast cut and now looking at the parts catalog the wheels now come gloss black with contrast. I really appreciate the help guys to think before I put my tires on I was gonna powder coat the set!