Wheel bearing maintenance?
Banned
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 4,027
Likes: 6,286
From: SoCal
Last week a wheel bearing busted on the trailer I was hauling an ATV on while cruising down I-95 here in Florida.
That got me to thinking about the bearings on both my bikes....a 2010 RK and an 81shovelhead.
These things can go without warning and up till now Ive never really worried about them nor have I ever had a bearing problem.
That being said, should bearings be replaced every time you get a new tire?
How can you tell if replacement is needed?
I'm about to put 2 new tires on the '81 and was gonna have new bearings put on just for the hell of it.
What say you?
That got me to thinking about the bearings on both my bikes....a 2010 RK and an 81shovelhead.
These things can go without warning and up till now Ive never really worried about them nor have I ever had a bearing problem.
That being said, should bearings be replaced every time you get a new tire?
How can you tell if replacement is needed?
I'm about to put 2 new tires on the '81 and was gonna have new bearings put on just for the hell of it.
What say you?
While almost certainly unnecessary, I replace wheel bearings every time I replace the tire.
They cost less than $30, which is basically the equivalent to a tank of gas.
Cheap insurance if you think about it.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,160
Likes: 11,249
From: San Diego, CA
.... I missed that....I saw him mention his 2010 RK and missed he was actually asking about his shovel head.....
Last edited by hattitude; May 7, 2024 at 08:15 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 21,176
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From: South Carolina
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,904
Likes: 1,422
From: Lost
2016 FLHXS
Last year for 60k service at the dealer I asked them to check wheel bearings. They said front was showing signs that needs replacing. Rear is still good.
Closing on 70k on the original rear wheel bearing.
I came across similar thread last year before my service, thats why I brought it up. Next tire change Ill ask them to inspect it again.
Last year for 60k service at the dealer I asked them to check wheel bearings. They said front was showing signs that needs replacing. Rear is still good.
Closing on 70k on the original rear wheel bearing.
I came across similar thread last year before my service, thats why I brought it up. Next tire change Ill ask them to inspect it again.
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 293
Likes: 207
From: California
If you know what a good bearing feels like you don't have to change them out prematurely. Check them every time you have a wheel off. They should roll as smooth as glass with no roughness. If you feel any roughness, replace them.
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 194
Likes: 86
From: Minnesota
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 11,226
Likes: 3,049
From: St.Louis Mo.
We just installed a set of NTN bearings in my brothers front wheel today. One of the bearings said made in the U.S.A and the other said made in Taiwan, both were packed with a blue grease.
He bought them at a bearing warehouse. They looked to be good bearings.
He bought them at a bearing warehouse. They looked to be good bearings.
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