Wheel Bearings
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 27,097
Likes: 4,676
From: Frozelandia, Minnysota
I've seen that video before. The guy pops the wrong side off, the outside of the seal sits in a groove in the outer race and you have to dig into that, risking nicking or tearing the seal. Slide a small thin flat screwdriver under the inside, where it just rides against the inner race, and it's a lot easier. I've done hundreds of bearings this way and never damaged one. Rubber/plastic seals of course, metal shielded, you'll wreck it every time.
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 30
Likes: 9
Just did the front bearings on my 14 RK last week. Only lasted 6600 miles. I had a clunk in the front that I could not pinpoint. It was the right side bearing. ABS bearing was fine. All ***** bearings, added a quality grease to them. VT102 bearing puller/installer. Good to go now.
Well see how long these last.
Well see how long these last.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 5,474
Likes: 6,345
From: pacific northwest
I lost a rear at 23k miles, 150 mi from home, replaced with a timken brand, says made in USA. seems like a small bearing for such a heavy bike. was not a lot of grease so packed them with wheel bearing grease. sprocket side was toast, brake side not bad but also am running my belt a bit on the loose side now.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 5,895
Likes: 1,908
From: East Coast, USA
I've seen that video before. The guy pops the wrong side off, the outside of the seal sits in a groove in the outer race and you have to dig into that, risking nicking or tearing the seal. Slide a small thin flat screwdriver under the inside, where it just rides against the inner race, and it's a lot easier. I've done hundreds of bearings this way and never damaged one. Rubber/plastic seals of course, metal shielded, you'll wreck it every time.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 27,097
Likes: 4,676
From: Frozelandia, Minnysota
None of them are perfect, I've read that Goldwings have had wheel bearing failures, too. I do all my own work, so without labor costs, and having the tools for it, it's not a big deal for me to replace wheel bearings; if I did buy a new Harley for the first time, I'd pull the wheels and check the bearings just like I've done on my used bikes - and so far all of those with ball bearings, Harleys, Hondas and a Yamaha, needed new bearings, but I think they were all do to being pressure washed and getting grit in the bearings. Do the proper maintenance, at least check the wheel bearings every tire change (I'd do that on any bike) and most Harleys last a long time without problems; we're hearing about a very small percentage of them on the forum.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 7,540
Likes: 12,186
From: Indianapolis
Bearing sizes are pretty much standard. I've gone to Motion Industries and have bought SKF or NSK bearings to replace cheap Chinese bearings that failed on a Polaris ATV.
I checked mine back in February when I mounted up new tires and they were fine then. maybe I'll check them again before cold weather arrives...
I checked mine back in February when I mounted up new tires and they were fine then. maybe I'll check them again before cold weather arrives...
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 919
Likes: 245
Another vote for replacing them all with tire changes.
Had a rear one go out on my 2017 dyna. Was on the freeway at the time, felt like I was riding in a bad rut. Got off the freeway, kept hearing a loud tink every now and then. Turned out I was shooting ball bearings into my license plate (on side). Thankfully I was only a dozen miles from a dealer and still under warranty. It destroyed the wheel hub and brake rotor. Would have been a $1000 problem.
Only sign I can think of was I heard a loud chirp every now and again. I thought it was the alarm on my bike since it sounded like that shortening out.
Still the best thing I ever bought.
Had a rear one go out on my 2017 dyna. Was on the freeway at the time, felt like I was riding in a bad rut. Got off the freeway, kept hearing a loud tink every now and then. Turned out I was shooting ball bearings into my license plate (on side). Thankfully I was only a dozen miles from a dealer and still under warranty. It destroyed the wheel hub and brake rotor. Would have been a $1000 problem.
Only sign I can think of was I heard a loud chirp every now and again. I thought it was the alarm on my bike since it sounded like that shortening out.
Still the best thing I ever bought.
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Joe Kucinski
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 15,468
Likes: 14,365
From: Illinois
After my most recent experience, I will be paying more attention to this part in the future. Never had to replace wheel bearings on any of my dozen or so bikes over 40 years of riding until now.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 9,332
Likes: 3,873
From: Upstate New York
Another vote for replacing them all with tire changes.
Had a rear one go out on my 2017 dyna. Was on the freeway at the time, felt like I was riding in a bad rut. Got off the freeway, kept hearing a loud tink every now and then. Turned out I was shooting ball bearings into my license plate (on side). Thankfully I was only a dozen miles from a dealer and still under warranty. It destroyed the wheel hub and brake rotor. Would have been a $1000 problem.
Only sign I can think of was I heard a loud chirp every now and again. I thought it was the alarm on my bike since it sounded like that shortening out.
Still the best thing I ever bought.
Had a rear one go out on my 2017 dyna. Was on the freeway at the time, felt like I was riding in a bad rut. Got off the freeway, kept hearing a loud tink every now and then. Turned out I was shooting ball bearings into my license plate (on side). Thankfully I was only a dozen miles from a dealer and still under warranty. It destroyed the wheel hub and brake rotor. Would have been a $1000 problem.
Only sign I can think of was I heard a loud chirp every now and again. I thought it was the alarm on my bike since it sounded like that shortening out.
Still the best thing I ever bought.
A failure like you describe is potentially life threatening and unacceptable IMO. Motorcycling is already dangerous enough without the manufacturer sabotaging us with cheap, under designed parts.