I took my '04 Heritage in for a 10,000 mi check yesterday - today I gat a call saying my rear wheel bearings were seized, and they split the axle trying to get it out. I ride in the Seattle area, and they were trying to tell me this is just "normal wear" and they wouldn't cover it ubnder warranty. Anyone else have this problem?

The shop decided to cover it anyway, so I'm not out the bucks, but it seems to me that having a bearing seize up at 10K miles is pretty lame - no indication, by the way, that this had happened - i rode the bike in for the check.

 

Don't the 04's have sealed bearings that were supposed to be more reliable?

 

That's what they said - but they implied it failed because I rode in the rain! In Seattle?

 

Sounds fishy.

 

I had my 01 fat boy in for a new rear tire. i live in michigan and keep the bike in a heated garage. The wheel bearings were screwed up in my bike. I trust my dealership 100%.

 

More than likely the axle was dry/seized due to lack of lubrication!

 

Buy theTimkin brand of bearingsand take them to your dealer, you shouldn't ever have another worry regarding them.

 

I work in Transport Refrigeration.......Deisel powered Carrier Refrigeration units. The fan shafts can use sealed bearings or non sealed bearings. The sealed bearings are worn out at 8ooo hours run time....The old style non sealed bearings go 25000 run hours. It makes me wonder how much more reliable the HD sealed bearings are.

 

The 04's have the sealed bearings. Now way, no how is that wear and tear. If you have extended warranty, make them fix it, if you don't have the EW, then its on your dime, but still no way is it wear and tear.

On another note, an 04 with 10000 miles? Better get busy and put some miles on that puppy

Teu

 

Bountyhunter hit it on the head- nothing was wrong with your bearings- the axle was rusted to the inner race!