Front wheel play
Thread Starter
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 10,236
Likes: 798
From: Indiana
Front wheel play
I've been noticing that when I go around a corner on Bertha, I hear brake noise, then, when I straighten out, it goes away.
I put her up on the lift and found I can grab the wheel top and bottom, and "wiggle" it a very small amount.
Is this normal or do I have a bearing problem starting?
I put her up on the lift and found I can grab the wheel top and bottom, and "wiggle" it a very small amount.
Is this normal or do I have a bearing problem starting?
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,897
From: Bedford UK
Bertha has super duper tapered roller bearings. In the service manual it calls for a small degree of slack, however without digging out mine I don't recall what it is. If you can feel it that may not be good. If you spin the wheel do the bearings make any noise? If so, time to replace'em. They are not expensive.
When I shopped for front wheel bearings some years ago at a local auto parts store, the chap behind the counter took one look and told they were off a small Ford car. He was wrong, but the bearings were the same and cheap!
When I shopped for front wheel bearings some years ago at a local auto parts store, the chap behind the counter took one look and told they were off a small Ford car. He was wrong, but the bearings were the same and cheap!
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 10,236
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From: Indiana
Thank you sir! I have the bearings already, but I need to find out if they fit the after market wheels NGH put on her.
Is this something I can do myself(changing the bearings), or does it require special tools?
On edit, no noise (except the brakes lightly rubbing) when I spin the wheel.
Is this something I can do myself(changing the bearings), or does it require special tools?
On edit, no noise (except the brakes lightly rubbing) when I spin the wheel.
Last edited by traildog; Jun 18, 2012 at 02:24 PM.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,591
Likes: 68
From: Big Bear City, CA
Yep, you can do it yourself, no special tools required. Once you take the wheel off you'll see that you can just remove the bearing with your finger.
Intermediate
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
From: western wi
You should change the races at the same time as a match IMHO That's wear you need the special tool to remove and install Then recheck your end play in the axle spacer All easy
stuff If you take the wheel to a shop it shouldn't cost much
stuff If you take the wheel to a shop it shouldn't cost much
Thread Starter
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 10,236
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From: Indiana
Yep, I knew the bearing comes out with just a finger. It's the races i was talking about.
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 354
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From: Indianapolis, IN
On a totally unrelated note traildog, were you on the southside of Indy by any chance last night? I swear I saw Bertha roll past me when I was filling up the old ladies SUV.
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Not me. I didn't get out on her last night.
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Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,897
From: Bedford UK
It may be possible to drive the outer race out from the opposite side of the hub, with care, alternatively use a bearing puller.
Bertha has obviously become a fashion icon, with others copying her undeniable style!
Bertha has obviously become a fashion icon, with others copying her undeniable style!