Hi, new member and first post.

I own a 2009 FLHT and at around 20,000 miles I took it in for new tires. The mechanic found that the rear wheel bearings were going bad and replaced them. A few thousand miles later, coming back from Sturgis last year, the front wheel bearings failed on me while on the freeway. Luckly I was not in a turn and was able to get off the road.

Now, at around 40,000 in for another tire change, the mechanic found that the front and rear wheel bearings are going bad, again, and replaced them. I talked with him about the wheel bearing problems and he told me that he sees a lot of this but the MoCo is not doing anything about it.

I encourgage anyone who has had this problem to file a complaint as I have with https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/ this is the only way that HD is going to fix this.

Sorry about the length of this post, I feel that this is an important issue that the MoCo needs to own up to before somebody gets really hurt or dies.

 

Most folks find a good Timken cross reference bearing. Some pop the plastic seals off and flush that crappy clear grease out and put in a better grease.

 

Thanks for the reply, going to check with Timken. I would just like to see the MoCo get nailed for cheaping out on such an important part.

 

That doesnt even make the short list of what corners they cut. Maybe a touring guy will chime in with a part # or start another thread. Tons of knowledge in here. Welcome aboard.

 

SKF 6205 2rs

 

I've Googled a little more about the problem, seems that there are issues finding a different brand of wheel bearings for Electra Glides with ABS, Which I have. Anyone find a solution for 2009 ABS Electra Glides? I'll contiune my search and if I find anything I'll post it up.

 

The bearing on the ABS sensor side of wheel are notched. Special order for Harley. I don't know about the States but here in the Great White North there is a major back order on the notched ones. HMMMM!! Wonder why?

 

Ya, it is crazy how many complaints about this problem I've found searching around the web. Come on Harley, stop being penny pinching cheapskates.

My brother-in-law has a 2004 RKC with the older style wheel bearings and not a single problem with them and his bike is at around 50,000 miles. I'm getting about 20,000 miles with mine. Grrrr....

 

There are two main reasons for bearings to go bad:
- some folks have an addiction to high pressure water rinsing = the force obtained by letting the water nozzle get close to the bearing lifts the lip seals and lets water penetrate into the bearings,
- wrong dimensioning of the bearing spacers, not matched to actual rim recesses where the bearings naturally fit. In such case lateral forces on the bearing races become enormous when ***** are used instead of tapered rollers.

 

Maybe it's just me but $100 worth of bearings in 40,000 miles doesn't seem like that big of a deal? I don't pressure wash my bike and when I swapped wheels I used the appropriate center spacing between the bearings to make sure the preload was correct.

This issue is as much a set up problem as a bearing quality problem. Most shops just pound the bearings in and don't check the setup. I paid the price for a good bearing installer from George's garage. Figured if I have two bikes that use the same style of bearings it is inevitable that I will need the tool.