Front FLHTC wheel bearings
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Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 223
Likes: 0
From: Jackson Louisiana
Front FLHTC wheel bearings
Just completed a 2000 mile trip but started off badly.
After about 200 miles the 1st day I noticed my front end was not acting right. I stopped for gas and looked at my front wheel. I noticed the front seal on the left front wheel bearing was spinning on the axle. Looked closer and all the bearings were on the bottom of the race and the cage was destroyed. Got on the phone and called several Harley shops. Only shop that had them was Little Rock and they were very nice when I drove up in a U haul. My 2009 Ultra Classic would have bit the dust if I would not have stopped. Seems they are changing lots of them so you better check yours.
After about 200 miles the 1st day I noticed my front end was not acting right. I stopped for gas and looked at my front wheel. I noticed the front seal on the left front wheel bearing was spinning on the axle. Looked closer and all the bearings were on the bottom of the race and the cage was destroyed. Got on the phone and called several Harley shops. Only shop that had them was Little Rock and they were very nice when I drove up in a U haul. My 2009 Ultra Classic would have bit the dust if I would not have stopped. Seems they are changing lots of them so you better check yours.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 27,096
Likes: 4,673
From: Frozelandia, Minnysota
Don't know about yours, but a lot of bearings today have plastic cages. I had to recently replace a front wheel on my 1200 sportster, came with bearings installed, but when I pulled a seal to look inside, they had plastic cages. Pulled them off and put metal caged bearings in. I've also seen a few bearings that didn't have any grease in them. Imagine how long they would have lasted...
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Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 223
Likes: 0
From: Jackson Louisiana
40000 miles when she crapped out but I do not know how long they have been going bad. When I saw the bearing it was in pieces and not drivable. I also learned that my Geico motorcycle insurance and AAA had no road service included for pickup and towing. I will address that next week since I just assumed both of them covered road service for my bikes as well as auto.
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,692
Likes: 22
From: Denham Springs, La
40000 miles when she crapped out but I do not know how long they have been going bad. When I saw the bearing it was in pieces and not drivable. I also learned that my Geico motorcycle insurance and AAA had no road service included for pickup and towing. I will address that next week since I just assumed both of them covered road service for my bikes as well as auto.
My front bearings failed at around 40k and again around 85k. They must be some crappy bearings.
Glad you found them before something bad happened.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,928
Likes: 69
From: Near Myrtle Beach, SC
You said front left...is yours an ABS bike? If so, it's usually been the right side front that for some reason goes out before the left-side ABS bearing. The ABS bearing is only available at the HD dealership. There are no substitutes for that one. Regardless, glad you spotted it when you did. I am assuming that both bearings were changed by the dealership.
The ABS bearings I have ordered and installed were made in Canada by F.A.G.:
The ABS bearings I have ordered and installed were made in Canada by F.A.G.:
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Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,549
Likes: 8
From: North Texas
Just completed a 2000 mile trip but started off badly.
After about 200 miles the 1st day I noticed my front end was not acting right. I stopped for gas and looked at my front wheel. I noticed the front seal on the left front wheel bearing was spinning on the axle. Looked closer and all the bearings were on the bottom of the race and the cage was destroyed. Got on the phone and called several Harley shops. Only shop that had them was Little Rock and they were very nice when I drove up in a U haul. My 2009 Ultra Classic would have bit the dust if I would not have stopped. Seems they are changing lots of them so you better check yours.
After about 200 miles the 1st day I noticed my front end was not acting right. I stopped for gas and looked at my front wheel. I noticed the front seal on the left front wheel bearing was spinning on the axle. Looked closer and all the bearings were on the bottom of the race and the cage was destroyed. Got on the phone and called several Harley shops. Only shop that had them was Little Rock and they were very nice when I drove up in a U haul. My 2009 Ultra Classic would have bit the dust if I would not have stopped. Seems they are changing lots of them so you better check yours.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 11,814
Likes: 5,120
From: SW Ohio
What bearings are you using that are 10 dollars each. A set of 4 wheel bearings is right about 100.00 dollar bill.