Front wheel bearings
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,158
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From: San Diego, CA
I'd like to add a couple of things here - free advice and worth every cent...
First, while I agree many sealed bearings have a sparse amount of grease from the factory, over-greasing can be a problem too. I change bearings every tire change, that means every 15 - 20k miles on the front and every 30,000 on the rear. I've only had one set of bearings fail before those miles and that was a 'known issue' bearing on a 2012 bike that I bought new. Those were changed under warranty.
If installing bearings yourself (very much preferred unless you have a mechanic who really cares) it's my opinion that they can be installed incorrectly very easily. There is a spacer tube between the bearings and most people would likely press the new bearings in until they stop solidly against that tube. since the tube only touches the inner race of the bearings, that means that a severe outward side load is applied to the bearings by the tube. I install the bearings until they contact the tube enough to hold it in place gently, but where the tube can still be moved around. I've seen so many times where people have said "I installed (x brand) bearings and they failed in NO time"... Maybe it wasn't the bearings.
First, while I agree many sealed bearings have a sparse amount of grease from the factory, over-greasing can be a problem too. I change bearings every tire change, that means every 15 - 20k miles on the front and every 30,000 on the rear. I've only had one set of bearings fail before those miles and that was a 'known issue' bearing on a 2012 bike that I bought new. Those were changed under warranty.
If installing bearings yourself (very much preferred unless you have a mechanic who really cares) it's my opinion that they can be installed incorrectly very easily. There is a spacer tube between the bearings and most people would likely press the new bearings in until they stop solidly against that tube. since the tube only touches the inner race of the bearings, that means that a severe outward side load is applied to the bearings by the tube. I install the bearings until they contact the tube enough to hold it in place gently, but where the tube can still be moved around. I've seen so many times where people have said "I installed (x brand) bearings and they failed in NO time"... Maybe it wasn't the bearings.
There is a thread on this forum that talks about how to properly install the bearings.
I was educated by multidhrdr (who really knows his HD bearing stuff). He and Max Headflow discuss in detail the type of tool needed for Harley wheel bearings, to avoid putting a side load on the sealed wheel bearings (3/4", 25mm, & 1"). Putting a side load on sealed wheel bearings can be a bearing killer.
The short version;
The primary side bearing is installed into the wheel until it stops, the secondary bearing is installed until it contacts the "bearing spacer sleeve" (sometimes called a tube, spacer, etc) that is in the wheel hub between the bearings. This bearing spacer sleeve keeps the bearings at the proper width. It holds them in place by pushing on the inner bearing rings, as the axle is torqued in place.
Many of the Harley Wheel Bearing Installer tools, have a shoulder on the bearing installer that pushes only on the outer bearing rim. If that is used to install the secondary bearing, by the time you feel resistance, there will almost certainly be a side load on the bearing.
If the secondary bearing spacer sleeve is installed with a flat bearing installer (like the HD tool used by HD shops) that pushes equally on both the bearing outer rim and inner rim, when it contacts the bearing spacer sleeve, you will not put a side load on the bearing. Also, you don't need to "sneak up" on making contact with the bearing spacer sleeve. Remember, the axle bolt pushes on both inner bearing rings with the bearing spacer sleeve in between them at around 50 ft lbs.
The quick fix for an improper tool, is to install the primary bearing, and when the secondary bearing is seated in the wheel, flip the bearing installer around so the flat side is pushing on the bearing and finish installing it. The better fix is to get a good tool, or as Max did, modify the bad tool making it flat, for a simpler, faster installation.
FWIW... After mulitihdrdr educated me, I bought a George's Garage Harley Wheel Bearing Remover & Installer (#740010 @ $211.95) for my bikes. It doesn't have flat bearing installers, but rather bearing installers with a double shoulder that will push simultaneously on the outer and inner bearing rims. It functions essentially the same as the flat HD tool.
I thought I saved the referenced thread, but can't seem to find it at the moment... If I can locate it, I will paste the URL for anyone interested to read...
Here's one where Max gives a good explanation of what to look for in a wheel bearing installer
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...ng-tool-4.html
Last edited by hattitude; Jan 30, 2024 at 08:36 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 5,895
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From: East Coast, USA
Another caution on overpacking bearings. Hopefully itll just be messy, but sometimes seals get blown out, letting dirt and water in. Very generally 1/2 full is more than enough.
Many a bearing seal gets ruined pulling it out and even putting it back in. They are very easily damaged. Practice on a spare.
Many a bearing seal gets ruined pulling it out and even putting it back in. They are very easily damaged. Practice on a spare.
In your post, are you referring to the sealed bearings? If yes, what is the basis for this advice? Has there been a HD Service Bulletin in regards to this particular issue? Are you involved in the wheel bearing industry? Have you personally had any wheel bearing issues? If yes, what mileage and who installed them?
HDF Community Team
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 6,191
Likes: 2,419
From: USA
@foxtrapper
In your post, are you referring to the sealed bearings?
In your post, are you referring to the sealed bearings?
If yes, what is the basis for this advice?
Has there been a HD Service Bulletin in regards to this particular issue?
Are you involved in the wheel bearing industry?
Have you personally had any wheel bearing issues?
If yes, what mileage and who installed them?
I almost never receive back history
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 5,895
Likes: 1,908
From: East Coast, USA
Who was the bearing manufacturer? Do they have any documentation or white papers regarding this?
What's your response to the following:
It seems strange that you have no idea how many miles your bearings lasted before replacement and you don't know who serviced them. Dealer, Independent shop, friend, you, etc?
What's your response to the following:
Not at all recommended. I wish I had a dollar for every time a customer complained there was not enough grease in a bearing. These sealed bearings like anything else have a life span. They wear every time the tire rotates. Good brands like SKF have been throughly tested and they know how much grease is needed. As mentioned above too little or too much is not good, the right amount gives best results. I will trust the SKF engineers.
It seems strange that you have no idea how many miles your bearings lasted before replacement and you don't know who serviced them. Dealer, Independent shop, friend, you, etc?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 5,814
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From: Las Vegas
I was educated by multidhrdr (who really knows his HD bearing stuff). He and Max Headflow discuss in detail the type of tool needed for Harley wheel bearings, to avoid putting a side load on the sealed wheel bearings (3/4", 25mm, & 1"). Putting a side load on sealed wheel bearings can be a bearing killer.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 5,895
Likes: 1,908
From: East Coast, USA
HDF Community Team
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 6,191
Likes: 2,419
From: USA
@LQQK_OUT , you can make up as many straw man arguments as you wish, I dont really care.
If you wish to see nefariousness in my caution about over filling sealed bearings, thats up to you.
Same your ability to find it strange that I dont have a detailed service history on every vehicle I own or work on.
If you wish to see nefariousness in my caution about over filling sealed bearings, thats up to you.
Same your ability to find it strange that I dont have a detailed service history on every vehicle I own or work on.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 5,895
Likes: 1,908
From: East Coast, USA
@LQQK_OUT , you can make up as many straw man arguments as you wish, I dont really care.
If you wish to see nefariousness in my caution about over filling sealed bearings, thats up to you.
Same your ability to find it strange that I dont have a detailed service history on every vehicle I own or work on.
If you wish to see nefariousness in my caution about over filling sealed bearings, thats up to you.
Same your ability to find it strange that I dont have a detailed service history on every vehicle I own or work on.
There seems to be none. Obviously everyone is free to draw their own conclusions in regards to this advice.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 21,174
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From: South Carolina
Sealed bearings come from the manufacturer with the correct type and amount of grease.
But some experts know more than the engineers who design and test the bearings, just pop the cover off and put some more (what type?) grease in.
In my opinion, sealed wheel bearings had issues in the past due to improperly designed tools and/or mechanics who do not understand how to correctly install them, it has nothing to do with the amount of grease the manufacturer puts in the bearing.
The latest OEM wheel bearings don`t seem to have the issues we saw years ago when they first came out.
No, I`m not in the bearing industry (just a licensed aircraft and powerplant mechanic with almost 50 years on my ticket).
But some experts know more than the engineers who design and test the bearings, just pop the cover off and put some more (what type?) grease in.
In my opinion, sealed wheel bearings had issues in the past due to improperly designed tools and/or mechanics who do not understand how to correctly install them, it has nothing to do with the amount of grease the manufacturer puts in the bearing.
The latest OEM wheel bearings don`t seem to have the issues we saw years ago when they first came out.
No, I`m not in the bearing industry (just a licensed aircraft and powerplant mechanic with almost 50 years on my ticket).
Last edited by Dan89FLSTC; Feb 18, 2024 at 01:20 PM.
