Bad wheel bearings??
Thread Starter
|
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,595
Likes: 7
From: Wall,NJ
Bad wheel bearings??
2010 RG...I felt a "thud" in the front end the other day, almost like I hit a bump but I didn't. Then today while riding I felt an uneasy vibration in the left grip/clutch lever (only lasted a split second at a low speed). It seems to ride fine, even at higher speeds...any ideas? I thought it could be the wheel bearings but I'm no mechanic by any means. The bike has 11,500 miles if it matters. What could happen with a bad wheel bearings?
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
Likes: 402
From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
a seized wheel bearing can be catastrophic.
if you have a lift or way to raise the front wheel, do so and spin by hand.
if it grinds it's a problem.
bearings last a looong time- the one thing that kills them is lack of lubrication. when wheels come off for tires the bearings can be checked, the axle needs to be lubed when reinstalled.
pressure washers kill bearings.
I've had the old unsealed bearings go more than 80000 miles, twice.( re-greased every 10000 miles)
The sealed bearings in use on the twin cams should last longer
mike
if you have a lift or way to raise the front wheel, do so and spin by hand.
if it grinds it's a problem.
bearings last a looong time- the one thing that kills them is lack of lubrication. when wheels come off for tires the bearings can be checked, the axle needs to be lubed when reinstalled.
pressure washers kill bearings.
I've had the old unsealed bearings go more than 80000 miles, twice.( re-greased every 10000 miles)
The sealed bearings in use on the twin cams should last longer
mike
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 2,283
Likes: 4
From: nebraska
This spring i bought a 2008 FLHRC with 27,000 miles on it from Dillon Brothers HD in omaha . great dealer . The bike now has a little over 30,000 miles on it.
A cpl weeks ago i was doing a pre-ride safety check ,as i checked my front tire air presure .i saw that what apeared to be the front right wheel bearing seal pushed out onto the spacer. i could see in the race the dry ballbearings . looked like maybe a few were missing .? i put the bike on lift and checked for play and felt non. i packed some grease in and pushed the seal back in .
i then made the drive to Dillions i stopped a few times to check for heat ect .
Dillions advertises no wait drive up service .
when i got to Dillions i explaned the problem and told them i had extended service plan . they said your coverd . and took the bike right back to be worked on . after a half hour they came back and said it would be another hour .
All said and done ...they got it fixed right away and washed the bike to .
it cost me $50 ...the deductable on my extended service plan.
The tech told me he had seen a lot of wheel bearings failing recently.
A cpl weeks ago i was doing a pre-ride safety check ,as i checked my front tire air presure .i saw that what apeared to be the front right wheel bearing seal pushed out onto the spacer. i could see in the race the dry ballbearings . looked like maybe a few were missing .? i put the bike on lift and checked for play and felt non. i packed some grease in and pushed the seal back in .
i then made the drive to Dillions i stopped a few times to check for heat ect .
Dillions advertises no wait drive up service .
when i got to Dillions i explaned the problem and told them i had extended service plan . they said your coverd . and took the bike right back to be worked on . after a half hour they came back and said it would be another hour .
All said and done ...they got it fixed right away and washed the bike to .
it cost me $50 ...the deductable on my extended service plan.
The tech told me he had seen a lot of wheel bearings failing recently.
Thread Starter
|
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,595
Likes: 7
From: Wall,NJ
Trending Topics
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 699
Likes: 13
From: Northeast
On my last bike which was an 08 Fat Boy, both of my wheel bearings went right around the mileage you have.
The front bearing went at 12k and I never noticed anything but the dealer said it was bad during a tire change and replaced it under warranty. Now the back wheel bearing was a different story around 14k it felt almost like the rear brake was grabbing a little bit with each rotation of the wheel then the rear of the bike felt like it had a "flat tire like wobble". Took it to the dealer and they said they have never seen a wheel bearing explode like mine and replaced it under warranty too.
So there you have it, both bearings shot within 14k miles. Get it checked just to be sure.
The front bearing went at 12k and I never noticed anything but the dealer said it was bad during a tire change and replaced it under warranty. Now the back wheel bearing was a different story around 14k it felt almost like the rear brake was grabbing a little bit with each rotation of the wheel then the rear of the bike felt like it had a "flat tire like wobble". Took it to the dealer and they said they have never seen a wheel bearing explode like mine and replaced it under warranty too.
So there you have it, both bearings shot within 14k miles. Get it checked just to be sure.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Capt Steve
Dyna Glide Models
9
Mar 15, 2020 09:00 AM
