Wheel bearing problems
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,634
Likes: 74
From: The 12th Rebel State
There is a thread on this same issue on the softail page (and some dresser guys chimed in too) that I read on a while back and its not a "bad batch"... or just rotten luck.. or pressure washing (although thats never a good idea..)
Its a systemic problem with all of the later bikes that the MoCo has turned out. They have went to a cheaper (chinese supplied/made) JUNK.. berring that is maybe good for 4 - 6K miles -ish.. my left front (2012 FXDC) started whining in the 3.5 K range.. so I only ride local now and not very far (or fast) till I can change them out completely.. I am looking to replace them with high end ceramic hybrids when I change my wheels..
From what I could tell these "newer" berrings are not made to near the same quality as the older ones.. and dont possess the same amount of internal rollers (surface area?) on the race as the old ones did.. or some such.. (do a search).. point being is that these sub-standard berrings should ALL be repced a a warranty recall.. I have had 3 HD Dynas prior to the one I have now and never had ANY wheel berring problems...
till now..
Its a systemic problem with all of the later bikes that the MoCo has turned out. They have went to a cheaper (chinese supplied/made) JUNK.. berring that is maybe good for 4 - 6K miles -ish.. my left front (2012 FXDC) started whining in the 3.5 K range.. so I only ride local now and not very far (or fast) till I can change them out completely.. I am looking to replace them with high end ceramic hybrids when I change my wheels..
From what I could tell these "newer" berrings are not made to near the same quality as the older ones.. and dont possess the same amount of internal rollers (surface area?) on the race as the old ones did.. or some such.. (do a search).. point being is that these sub-standard berrings should ALL be repced a a warranty recall.. I have had 3 HD Dynas prior to the one I have now and never had ANY wheel berring problems...
till now..
Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,399
Likes: 92
From: ny
Has anyone bought a wheel bearing puller/installer and changed out there own? If so which puller installer do you have?
Im looking to buy one cause Im sure this will happin again
It seams like HD should do something,RECALL, if people are having problems. I'm so happy my girlfriend wasn't on when this happened.Could have been ugly
Im looking to buy one cause Im sure this will happin again
It seams like HD should do something,RECALL, if people are having problems. I'm so happy my girlfriend wasn't on when this happened.Could have been ugly
Last edited by rsking45; Jul 27, 2014 at 10:20 PM.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 4,749
Likes: 16
From: sand mountain Alabama
timken bearings, is what I use. I just had a chrome wheel installed. Bought the wheel kit. Supplied my own timken bearings. A good bearing company will have no problem matching it. I even have them in my triple tree/neck.
It was $129 including the wheel kit. Oh + tax
It was $129 including the wheel kit. Oh + tax
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 89
Likes: 0
From: McLouth Kansas
You guys sure have some bad bearing luck,,,myself I just replaced my rear tire at 28800 sum odd miles and I checked my bearings and they were smooth as silk and no slack in the races.
But I have a 00 wide glide and I guess the factory used better bearings back then,,,,Hmmm maybe.
But I have a 00 wide glide and I guess the factory used better bearings back then,,,,Hmmm maybe.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 3,791
Likes: 57
From: N Texas
Has anyone bought a wheel bearing puller/installer and changed out there own? If so which puller installer do you have?
Im looking to buy one cause Im sure this will happin again
It seams like HD should do something,RECALL, if people are having problems. I'm so happy my girlfriend wasn't on when this happened.Could have been ugly
Im looking to buy one cause Im sure this will happin again
It seams like HD should do something,RECALL, if people are having problems. I'm so happy my girlfriend wasn't on when this happened.Could have been ugly
http://www.mbsmfg.com/whbeinandpus.html
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 6,174
Likes: 1,960
From: Great State of Canada
I read a recommendation on another thread suggesting bearings should be changed when you put on new tires. Given the cost of bearings vs the cost of labor, I can see the logic in doing this even if it shouldn't be necessary.
Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,399
Likes: 92
From: ny
Probably not a bad idea to change bearings when getting tires but we shouldnt have toreplace bearing before the tires
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,066
Likes: 97
From: Northern VA
Hopefully someone who has actually done this will speak up, but I love this tool supplier:
http://www.mbsmfg.com/whbeinandpus.html
http://www.mbsmfg.com/whbeinandpus.html
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/12988194-post17.html
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,066
Likes: 97
From: Northern VA
Just want to comment on this thread. .
Yeah the bearings are smaller, but I don't think they're inadequate for the job. .if installed correctly. Side load any bearing and it won't last, regardless of where it's made.
I bought into the "harley bearings are junk" bs being spread around the forums, bought the tools, some Timkens, and changed mine when powdercoating my wheels. At 20k miles, the stock bearings were just fine. No visible defects and they turned as they should.
My recommendation is to check them at tire changes. If they turn with some effort (they won't spin freely like they do in your hand) and you don't detect any issues, grinding, noises. .no real reason to take them out.
Matt
Yeah the bearings are smaller, but I don't think they're inadequate for the job. .if installed correctly. Side load any bearing and it won't last, regardless of where it's made.
I bought into the "harley bearings are junk" bs being spread around the forums, bought the tools, some Timkens, and changed mine when powdercoating my wheels. At 20k miles, the stock bearings were just fine. No visible defects and they turned as they should.
My recommendation is to check them at tire changes. If they turn with some effort (they won't spin freely like they do in your hand) and you don't detect any issues, grinding, noises. .no real reason to take them out.
Matt