Wheel bearing paranoia

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Aug 4, 2018 | 09:21 PM

#21

Screamin beagle

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Jun 2017

Posts: 5,315

Likes: 4,272

From: Granville New York

Replace them just for peace of mind...use a good aftermarket brand though...dont put the factory crap back in. Also an additional bonus is it's a perfectly good time to buy a new tool to do the job. If the wife gives you any **** over spending a 100 bucks on a tool ask her if she can put a price on your safety and life lol...shuts mine up every time.

Aug 4, 2018 | 09:22 PM

#22

stroker87

Tourer

Joined: Jul 2016

Posts: 357

Likes: 39

From: illinois

with 40k on them and a long trip in the future just change them, i just swapped mine out at 22k on them still felt smooth 08 EG (picked it up in december so been doing a lot of maintenance)

Aug 4, 2018 | 09:37 PM

#23

Gazzalodi

Road Master

Joined: Sep 2010

Posts: 953

Likes: 98

From: was Vegas now CT

65k on my 09 RK when rear gave out, one ball disintegrated and pitted the rest. Still managed to make it CT from Virginia with no noticeable handling change other than a 'clunk' when started from a complete stop. Felt about the same as leaving the kickstand down when starting out. 20k on the replacements with no problems. Current front wheel has about 30K on it and no issues. Old front wheel had about 55k when I bent it, bearings were replaced as part of that repair. I do three long trips each year; a 3k, a 5k and a 8k for the last 4 years. Other than checking that they are smooth spinning, I don't do anything special for bearings before long trips.

Aug 4, 2018 | 09:46 PM

#24

Litewings

Thread Starter

Tourer

Joined: Aug 2013

Posts: 379

Likes: 38

From: Nebraska

Quote:

Originally Posted by Screamin beagle

Replace them just for peace of mind...use a good aftermarket brand though...dont put the factory crap back in. Also an additional bonus is it's a perfectly good time to buy a new tool to do the job. If the wife gives you any **** over spending a 100 bucks on a tool ask her if she can put a price on your safety and life lol...shuts mine up every time.

And thats what I did since I have 2500-3000 mi of trips coming up. Used SKF Explorer series bearings and repacked them with a high quality synthetic grease. Already had the tools and the bearings on hand. Didnt change them on the 45k mi service since they felt so smooth and there was no side play per dial indicator. But then a couple last minute plans led up to a couple long trips with the wife on back and fully loaded with luggage. Needed the piece of mind. Now can enjoy the ride and not worry about it.

Aug 5, 2018 | 12:27 AM

#25

1Canuck

Ultimate HDF Member

Joined: Dec 2010

Posts: 7,776

Likes: 2,252

From: wet coast BC

Quote:

Originally Posted by Talldog

I replace the bearings at every tire change, usually about 12-14K miles.

Might be overkill, but it gives me peace of mind.

^^^^^^ This, The tire is off and bearings are cheap. why wait and have to do it between rubber changes.

Aug 5, 2018 | 07:44 AM

#26

vern58

Advanced

Joined: Jan 2013

Posts: 65

Likes: 0

From: iowa

Replaced the rears on my 2012 W. Glide around 9000 miles, sounds like they may be dying again at 15,600. No problems with the 16’ Road Glide yet.

Last edited by vern58; Aug 5, 2018 at 07:52 AM.

Aug 7, 2018 | 12:38 PM

#27

PPearl

Tourer

Joined: Jan 2017

Posts: 378

Likes: 100

From: PA

my fronts were toast at 22,000.

Aug 7, 2018 | 03:43 PM

#28

WIHD55

Road Captain

Joined: Jan 2012

Posts: 560

Likes: 2

From: Green Bay, WI

'11 FLHX with ABS, front and rear failed within 6 weeks of each other. @49K

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Aug 7, 2018 | 10:39 PM

#29

2AMGuy

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Apr 2012

Posts: 9,981

Likes: 5,219

From: Michigan

I had new tires put on my '13 my CVO Ultra just short of 21,000 miles.
I now have just over 33,000 miles on it and with a little over one year to go on my ESP I'm planning on waiting to see if the bearings hold up until I need new tires (probably be next season the way things have been going this year) and if they do, I plan on having the bearings replaced when I get the new tires installed, provided that I don't sell or trade the bike in before then.