Wheel Bearing Discussion
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 79
Likes: 3
From: Bossier City, LA
Not sure if I would call it excessing in our case. I just pulled off my rear from my 09 Fatbob and the rear bearings are shot. dust covers are intact but I can barely spin the bearing by hand and when I do, it is extremely rough. Not cool.
I had a friend also with a Fatbob that had total failure and lockup (at low speed though). Had to get a guy to help him get the bike off the road because it wouldn't roll. Rear wheel and brake disk was replaced under ext warranty. Mine is out of warranty now so I paying close attention. His bike had 16k ish miles, mine is at 9k.
With all the threads I am reading, this is a problem. Becareful our there dyna guys/gals.
Is there any proven manufacturer that makes a high end bearing vs. replacing OEM with OEM and having to do this agin down the road?
I had a friend also with a Fatbob that had total failure and lockup (at low speed though). Had to get a guy to help him get the bike off the road because it wouldn't roll. Rear wheel and brake disk was replaced under ext warranty. Mine is out of warranty now so I paying close attention. His bike had 16k ish miles, mine is at 9k.
With all the threads I am reading, this is a problem. Becareful our there dyna guys/gals.
Is there any proven manufacturer that makes a high end bearing vs. replacing OEM with OEM and having to do this agin down the road?
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,499
Likes: 25
From: Mesquite,Nevada
I'd rather be excessive than to lose the bearing at 75mph,
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 87
Likes: 0
From: SW Oklahoma
I had to replace my rear bearings on my 09 FXD at 12K. Noticed the wobble at low speed and almost a knocking noise when I would take off from a stop. Went to leave work one day and when I heard the knock sound I got off, inspected the rear wheel, ran my finger around the wheel near the bearing area, resulting in metal shavings from the bearing. Was able to get her to the dealer where they not only replaced the bearing, but had to order a new wheel due to damage caused by the bearing. Thankfully it was under warranty, no cost to me.
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 883
Likes: 2
From: Irving-Texas
I have replaced more rear wheel bearings on my 08 FXDF than I care to remember-also replaced 2 rear wheels because of the damage done- I'm all for replacing at every tire change from now on, the new bearings are just plain crap, if HD really cared they would re-design that bearing and upgrade for free.
I am using All-***** bearings, every Indy I have spoken with recommends them over HD junk bearings, I just made that change we will see how they last.
I am using All-***** bearings, every Indy I have spoken with recommends them over HD junk bearings, I just made that change we will see how they last.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,553
Likes: 17
Are the new bearings (which I understand are skinnier?) being used for all replacements? I need to replace the bearings on my '07 and I think the newer/crappier bearings are for '08 and later. Can anyone confirm this?
Stage I
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Australia
Wheel Bearings 07 Softail Heritage
I had a rear tire at 7700 miles and was told my wheel bearings were no good so I had them replaced and asked for the old bearings to check them. They put them in the box that the new bearings came out of, it said genuine H-D parts made in Slovakia eastern Europe third world country.
When the bearings were out they spun freely and I could not feel any roughness in them at all and I cut one in half to check for any surface wear but there was none.
I have been in the automotive parts manufacturing for 30 years and I know even with good QC control parts can slip thru that is out of spec and you rely on 2 or 3 manufacturers to get your wheel fitted correctly only one has to be out of spec to cause a problem.
If you you the same problem again I suggest you check your tolerances on wheel bearing recess and the spacer length, it could be they are made to minimum tolerance and put a sideways load on the bearing when tensioned.
If that is the problem try to get a longer spacer or have your old one shimmed it may only 4-8 thou to fix it and that is enough to make a bearing tight and run hot and eventually fail. We may have bearings made low cost manufacturing countries but that may not be the reason for failure.
Another Softail owner had his rear bearings replaced at the same time with only 11100 miles.
Tassiedevil, Australia
When the bearings were out they spun freely and I could not feel any roughness in them at all and I cut one in half to check for any surface wear but there was none.
I have been in the automotive parts manufacturing for 30 years and I know even with good QC control parts can slip thru that is out of spec and you rely on 2 or 3 manufacturers to get your wheel fitted correctly only one has to be out of spec to cause a problem.
If you you the same problem again I suggest you check your tolerances on wheel bearing recess and the spacer length, it could be they are made to minimum tolerance and put a sideways load on the bearing when tensioned.
If that is the problem try to get a longer spacer or have your old one shimmed it may only 4-8 thou to fix it and that is enough to make a bearing tight and run hot and eventually fail. We may have bearings made low cost manufacturing countries but that may not be the reason for failure.
Another Softail owner had his rear bearings replaced at the same time with only 11100 miles.
Tassiedevil, Australia
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 351
Likes: 2
I had a rear tire at 7700 miles and was told my wheel bearings were no good so I had them replaced and asked for the old bearings to check them. They put them in the box that the new bearings came out of, it said genuine H-D parts made in Slovakia eastern Europe third world country.
When the bearings were out they spun freely and I could not feel any roughness in them at all and I cut one in half to check for any surface wear but there was none.
I have been in the automotive parts manufacturing for 30 years and I know even with good QC control parts can slip thru that is out of spec and you rely on 2 or 3 manufacturers to get your wheel fitted correctly only one has to be out of spec to cause a problem.
If you you the same problem again I suggest you check your tolerances on wheel bearing recess and the spacer length, it could be they are made to minimum tolerance and put a sideways load on the bearing when tensioned.
If that is the problem try to get a longer spacer or have your old one shimmed it may only 4-8 thou to fix it and that is enough to make a bearing tight and run hot and eventually fail. We may have bearings made low cost manufacturing countries but that may not be the reason for failure.
Another Softail owner had his rear bearings replaced at the same time with only 11100 miles.
Tassiedevil, Australia
When the bearings were out they spun freely and I could not feel any roughness in them at all and I cut one in half to check for any surface wear but there was none.
I have been in the automotive parts manufacturing for 30 years and I know even with good QC control parts can slip thru that is out of spec and you rely on 2 or 3 manufacturers to get your wheel fitted correctly only one has to be out of spec to cause a problem.
If you you the same problem again I suggest you check your tolerances on wheel bearing recess and the spacer length, it could be they are made to minimum tolerance and put a sideways load on the bearing when tensioned.
If that is the problem try to get a longer spacer or have your old one shimmed it may only 4-8 thou to fix it and that is enough to make a bearing tight and run hot and eventually fail. We may have bearings made low cost manufacturing countries but that may not be the reason for failure.
Another Softail owner had his rear bearings replaced at the same time with only 11100 miles.
Tassiedevil, Australia
When you tighten the axle the spacers are pulled up square against the inner race so how could a few thousands of an inch be a problem, especially on he wide bearings? The side load a heavy *** motorcycle puts on the narrow single row bearings is in my opinion what's killing these things since deep groove ball bearings are not really meant to carry a side load and where the wider double row bearing can handle it.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 2,864
Likes: 127
From: Aussie lost in Switzerland
Just to add to the thread, my rear bearings started grinding 2 days ago. Only 9K miles on the bike. HD will not do them under warranty because the tire change that identified they where shot wasn't done at a dealer, bastards!
Indy that changed my tire said the bearing where dead, but didn't have any on hand to change, so he got me going so I could get to The dealer to have them changed same day under warranty and not loose my weekend riding, but the dealer has cried foul cause he didn't get the tyre sale. Indy will have my new bearings monday for me.
Here a bearing changeout will cost me about 250 US clams at a dealer.
Indy that changed my tire said the bearing where dead, but didn't have any on hand to change, so he got me going so I could get to The dealer to have them changed same day under warranty and not loose my weekend riding, but the dealer has cried foul cause he didn't get the tyre sale. Indy will have my new bearings monday for me.
Here a bearing changeout will cost me about 250 US clams at a dealer.
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Tourer
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 351
Likes: 2
Just to add to the thread, my rear bearings started grinding 2 days ago. Only 9K miles on the bike. HD will not do them under warranty because the tire change that identified they where shot wasn't done at a dealer, bastards!
Indy that changed my tire said the bearing where dead, but didn't have any on hand to change, so he got me going so I could get to The dealer to have them changed same day under warranty and not loose my weekend riding, but the dealer has cried foul cause he didn't get the tyre sale. Indy will have my new bearings monday for me.
Here a bearing changeout will cost me about 250 US clams at a dealer.
Indy that changed my tire said the bearing where dead, but didn't have any on hand to change, so he got me going so I could get to The dealer to have them changed same day under warranty and not loose my weekend riding, but the dealer has cried foul cause he didn't get the tyre sale. Indy will have my new bearings monday for me.
Here a bearing changeout will cost me about 250 US clams at a dealer.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 4,990
Likes: 9
From: Marina del Rey
Bad bearings are bad bearings? This is under warranty so the Dealer gets paid, so not sure why they are pulling this crap except to rip you off for more than what warranty might pay. Call H-D customer service and/or find another dealer, why pay the indy for what is covered under warranty.