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replacing rear fork bearings

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Old Sep 18, 2009 | 10:24 AM
  #1  
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From: Mount Holly, NC
Default replacing rear fork bearings

has anyone replaced these yet, and if so, did you need any specialized tooling? i don't have a press, but might pick one up.
 
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Old Sep 18, 2009 | 05:00 PM
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ok kiddos, here is something you'll need to know about your new sportster:

rear fork bearings are $60 (plus tax) from the dealer. buy them when the dealer is having a big sale.

you have to replace these sombitches every 30k miles. its part of the maintenance costs. and, you need a shop press and a special HD tool. or you can pay those blood-sucking liars at the dealer to do it. they'll tell you one price but try to charge you another because thats what dealers do.
 
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Old Sep 18, 2009 | 10:00 PM
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I'am with stupid.
what are rear fork bearings? or do you mean rear (swing arm)
Please let stupid know Thanks
 
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Old Sep 18, 2009 | 10:29 PM
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you and i call them swingarm bearings. hd calls them rear fork bearings. i was given part number 9209 at the dealer today. i seriously doubt its the correct number.
 
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Old Sep 19, 2009 | 05:22 AM
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Originally Posted by Certainteed
you and i call them swingarm bearings. hd calls them rear fork bearings. i was given part number 9209 at the dealer today. i seriously doubt its the correct number.
That's the part number (9209) shown in my 04 Parts Manual.
A check on the price from Lake Shore HD, www.lshd1.com shows $23.96 each, with flat rate shipping on orders <$300.00 at $9.99.
 

Last edited by cHarley; Sep 19, 2009 at 05:27 AM.
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Old Sep 19, 2009 | 11:34 AM
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From: Boynton Beach, FloriDuh
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Originally Posted by Certainteed
ok kiddos, here is something you'll need to know about your new sportster:

rear fork bearings are $60 (plus tax) from the dealer. buy them when the dealer is having a big sale.

you have to replace these sombitches every 30k miles. its part of the maintenance costs. and, you need a shop press and a special HD tool. or you can pay those blood-sucking liars at the dealer to do it. they'll tell you one price but try to charge you another because thats what dealers do.
IMO, this is another one of those items in the Service Manual where the replacement frequency may be overkill provided you do a through inspection.

I have 50,000 miles on mine and check the swing arm bearings when I have the wheel off. As long as the swing arm moves freely and there is no lateral slop in the swing arm, changing them out every 30K miles is overkill IMO. These bearings aren't much different than the wheel bearings on the bike which constantly spin at high RPMs and typically are good for 75,000 miles. That doesn't mean that if they still look good at 60K - 70K I won't change them at that point just to be on the safe side.

Just my
 
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