Rear Bearings
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6th Gear
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: New Hampshire
Rear Bearings
Hey Everyone,
I have been having a whining noise coming from the rear wheel in my 2013 softail slim after about 15 min of riding and after some troubleshooting and extensive research online it seems to be the wheel bearing. Harley seems to be now known for this issue. I wanted to see what kind of replacement bearings everyone else has used and had good luck with. I figured replacing a $20 dollar part is worth the piece of mind.
I have been having a whining noise coming from the rear wheel in my 2013 softail slim after about 15 min of riding and after some troubleshooting and extensive research online it seems to be the wheel bearing. Harley seems to be now known for this issue. I wanted to see what kind of replacement bearings everyone else has used and had good luck with. I figured replacing a $20 dollar part is worth the piece of mind.
Thread Starter
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6th Gear
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: New Hampshire
I found a bearing kit from BikeBandit.com using 'AllBalls' bearings but I am unfamiliar with them. Does anyone have any experience using these?
http://www.bikebandit.com/all-*****-...taineramp20235
http://www.bikebandit.com/all-*****-...taineramp20235
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 705
Likes: 8
From: southern IL
Why not take it in for warranty? 2013 should still have standard warranty valid on it.
Yes, I've known a few that had bearings go out at 25K when they should last 4x that. I just have them replaced every so often when I get my tires changed. Like you said, a $20 part is worth some peace of mind. I just do the HD part because its convenient with the tire changes.
Yes, I've known a few that had bearings go out at 25K when they should last 4x that. I just have them replaced every so often when I get my tires changed. Like you said, a $20 part is worth some peace of mind. I just do the HD part because its convenient with the tire changes.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 38,301
Likes: 6,325
From: Honah Lee
I have 40 K on mine and sold a set of wheels off a 03 Fatboy that had 100K on them with never an issue. Not sure if your 2013 has the double row bearings but they are bullet proof unless you take a pressure washer to the side of them. That little rubber seal cannot take that. You truly need to jack the bike and slide out the axle. Do not need to remove wheel. Then you can pull one spacer, slide wheel over and turn the inner race and check for smooth turning and no play. If it has failed, I would think you would see traces of grease on the outside of the seal. I put a Michelin rear tire on mine and it whines in turns when I get over on the side.
Last edited by Jackie Paper; Sep 14, 2018 at 11:07 AM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,781
Likes: 50
From: Louisville, KY
I found a bearing kit from BikeBandit.com using 'AllBalls' bearings but I am unfamiliar with them. Does anyone have any experience using these?
http://www.bikebandit.com/all-*****-...taineramp20235
http://www.bikebandit.com/all-*****-...taineramp20235
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/softa...ngs-trash.html
They're likely to install another set of cheap and nasty bearings.
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 191
Likes: 6
From: Minneapolis
Hey CodeRed,
I have the exact same bike and I have just crossed the 1200 mile mark. I am scheduled for my 1k service on July 2.
At about 800 miles I noted a slight medium to higher pitched "Wa Wa Wa" coming from the back end that was intervaled based on my speed.(It slowed down as I did) It is a noise independent of gear and clutch engagement. It was rather slight at 800 so I kept riding, but noted the sound.
Now that I am over 1k the sound is more pressing and common. It begins at 15mph and past 30 I cant hear anything due to wind and engine noise. I can always hear it coming to a stop.
Possible causes based on my investigation here: Tire Pressure, Belt Tension, Brake Rub, Bearing Issues.
Can anyone with some more experience give me some insight. Im a bit leary of riding before I get it back to the dealer on July 2. The ride to the dealer is about 60 miles.
I have the exact same bike and I have just crossed the 1200 mile mark. I am scheduled for my 1k service on July 2.
At about 800 miles I noted a slight medium to higher pitched "Wa Wa Wa" coming from the back end that was intervaled based on my speed.(It slowed down as I did) It is a noise independent of gear and clutch engagement. It was rather slight at 800 so I kept riding, but noted the sound.
Now that I am over 1k the sound is more pressing and common. It begins at 15mph and past 30 I cant hear anything due to wind and engine noise. I can always hear it coming to a stop.
Possible causes based on my investigation here: Tire Pressure, Belt Tension, Brake Rub, Bearing Issues.
Can anyone with some more experience give me some insight. Im a bit leary of riding before I get it back to the dealer on July 2. The ride to the dealer is about 60 miles.
Thread Starter
|
6th Gear
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: New Hampshire
Hey CodeRed,
I have the exact same bike and I have just crossed the 1200 mile mark. I am scheduled for my 1k service on July 2.
At about 800 miles I noted a slight medium to higher pitched "Wa Wa Wa" coming from the back end that was intervaled based on my speed.(It slowed down as I did) It is a noise independent of gear and clutch engagement. It was rather slight at 800 so I kept riding, but noted the sound.
Now that I am over 1k the sound is more pressing and common. It begins at 15mph and past 30 I cant hear anything due to wind and engine noise. I can always hear it coming to a stop.
Possible causes based on my investigation here: Tire Pressure, Belt Tension, Brake Rub, Bearing Issues.
Can anyone with some more experience give me some insight. Im a bit leary of riding before I get it back to the dealer on July 2. The ride to the dealer is about 60 miles.
I have the exact same bike and I have just crossed the 1200 mile mark. I am scheduled for my 1k service on July 2.
At about 800 miles I noted a slight medium to higher pitched "Wa Wa Wa" coming from the back end that was intervaled based on my speed.(It slowed down as I did) It is a noise independent of gear and clutch engagement. It was rather slight at 800 so I kept riding, but noted the sound.
Now that I am over 1k the sound is more pressing and common. It begins at 15mph and past 30 I cant hear anything due to wind and engine noise. I can always hear it coming to a stop.
Possible causes based on my investigation here: Tire Pressure, Belt Tension, Brake Rub, Bearing Issues.
Can anyone with some more experience give me some insight. Im a bit leary of riding before I get it back to the dealer on July 2. The ride to the dealer is about 60 miles.
I'm experiencing something very similar. I've tried cleaning the brakes, and using belt dressing with still the same sound. If you hit google you'll notice that when Harley became a public company the bottom line became more important and they started outsourcing some of the parts they used to use (Ex. there bearings) the bearings they use now are Chinese and are cheep. Be careful its not your bearings going bad on your new bike. I'm curious to what your dealer says if you bring it back there. Youll have to let me know.
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