Squeak when I turn the wheel while moving
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 2,422
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From: Fla
Tough to say, with so little information. But then, it would still be just a guess without personal and proper diagnostics...
What year/model is your bike? Could be something specific to that year/model, but always good to know what we're talking about...
Is it just one quick squeak, a 'squeak-squeak-squeak-etc', or is it a continuous squealing until you move the wheel back to center? Noises are very difficult to describe, but since we can't 'put an ear to it', we need as good a description as possible.
What year/model is your bike? Could be something specific to that year/model, but always good to know what we're talking about...
Is it just one quick squeak, a 'squeak-squeak-squeak-etc', or is it a continuous squealing until you move the wheel back to center? Noises are very difficult to describe, but since we can't 'put an ear to it', we need as good a description as possible.
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 538
Likes: 24
From: Texas
My 1999 road king had tapered"timkin" type wheel bearings which were easy to grease and long running and a tell tale squeak would let me know they needed greased.
The newer bikes have a roller bearing, not very durable and they will fail. without knowing the year make or model, i would suggest checking your front wheel bearing. if you have the newer styler roller bearing, change it before you ride it any further!
The newer bikes have a roller bearing, not very durable and they will fail. without knowing the year make or model, i would suggest checking your front wheel bearing. if you have the newer styler roller bearing, change it before you ride it any further!
HDF Community Team
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 6,189
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From: USA
If you're talking sitting there in the garage with the engine off, it could even be the likes of electrical wires or the clutch cable moving over the frame and such. Even the tire squeeking on the concrete floor.
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Road Master
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,240
Likes: 82
From: Columbus, GA
2010 Limited. more like a squeak, squeak, squeak. I can only hear it when I'm moving slow (like in a parking lot). Not to say it doesn't do it at speed, I just can't hear it over engine noise.
Just greased the neck about 3 months ago.
Think it could be the front wheel bearings?
Just greased the neck about 3 months ago.
Think it could be the front wheel bearings?
Last edited by rob0225; Mar 21, 2014 at 10:23 AM.
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2010 Limited. more like a squeak, squeak, squeak. I can only hear it when I'm moving slow (like in a parking lot). Not to say it doesn't do it at speed, I just can't hear it over engine noise.
Just greased the neck about 3 months ago.
Think it could be the front wheel bearings?
Just greased the neck about 3 months ago.
Think it could be the front wheel bearings?
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...ase-marks.html
and more examples
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/8575797-post19.html
Last edited by EricD10563; Mar 21, 2014 at 12:52 PM.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 2,422
Likes: 14
From: Fla
When a bearing begins to wear...
it can develop flat spot on one or more of the rollers/*****/needles. This will indeed make a squeak-squeak-squeak sound as the flat bearing rotates. That type of noise is exactly what a wheel bearing (or just about any bearing for that matter), would make when it starts to go bad. Especially, when force is exerted on one side or the other. I would pull the wheel off and check to be sure.
I doubt it would be in the steering head. The steering head would make a single squeak, or metallic scrape as you turn the wheel.
The belt can make a squeak-squeak-squeak that you may hear when pushing the bike. Most of the belts will squeal when rolling the bike backwards. It's just the rubber making contact with the sprocket teeth, or sides. If this is suspect to you, be sure to check the rear wheel alignment.
Anything else, IMHO, would likely not have a change when turning only. But, anything is possible.
it can develop flat spot on one or more of the rollers/*****/needles. This will indeed make a squeak-squeak-squeak sound as the flat bearing rotates. That type of noise is exactly what a wheel bearing (or just about any bearing for that matter), would make when it starts to go bad. Especially, when force is exerted on one side or the other. I would pull the wheel off and check to be sure.
I doubt it would be in the steering head. The steering head would make a single squeak, or metallic scrape as you turn the wheel.
The belt can make a squeak-squeak-squeak that you may hear when pushing the bike. Most of the belts will squeal when rolling the bike backwards. It's just the rubber making contact with the sprocket teeth, or sides. If this is suspect to you, be sure to check the rear wheel alignment.
Anything else, IMHO, would likely not have a change when turning only. But, anything is possible.
Last edited by Def Mute; Mar 21, 2014 at 07:26 PM.
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Road Master
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,240
Likes: 82
From: Columbus, GA
Thanks guys. The more I hear it, the more I'm positive it's coming from the front wheel area and most likely the bearing.
Is it common for these bearings to go bad? I have 28k miles on my bike.
Is it common for these bearings to go bad? I have 28k miles on my bike.