How can you tell if you are getting a bad front wheel bearing. My 08 Ultra 17000 miles seems to have some noise up front, more noticeable when in a right hand turn. I have a new front tire installed, but rear needs replacing.
There is no play or slop in front wheel.
Also, if you had to change bearings, what type is the best
Where is the best place to buy a bearing puller, installer.

 

You need to jack up the bike to be able to check side play, and then on certain bikes you may need to remove the brake pads even to check the side play in the bearing properly. Aftermarket bearings of good quality would be Timken, Dodge, Browning, etc., ie made in USA.

 

People have said they had the same symptoms before a bearing went out on this forum.

If a Harley replacement bearing is made in China, I'd do some research and find an American made - I've seen part numbers for those elsewhere on this forum. I always pop a plastic seal up to check the grease on any bearing; I've seen many with very little grease, barely enough for a film on the *****, if that. I've cleaned several out and greased with a liberal amount of good quality grease, never had a problem with one I'd done that to.

I have a Pit Posse Harley wheel bearing puller/installer kit, works very well. Similar pullers are available, some cheaper, and at least one probably better, since it has a thrust washer/bearing - the Pit Posse just has flat washers, but works well when you grease them. A google search will bring up several places that carry Pit Posse and others; I got mine from Summit Racing. You'll probably find the lowest prices on ebay, but how well some of those folks ship product is a gamble. I've had pretty good luck with most of my ebay purchases, though.

Pit Posse: http://pitposse.com/whberein.html

ebay selection: http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_saca...g+tool&_sop=15

Tips for installing wheel bearings - I put a thin coat of anti seize on the outer bearing race and the wheel so it hopefully slides in without any galling of the wheel material, and hopefully will come out easier the next time, or at least not be corroded in there. Steel and aluminum don't always make good neighbors. The race should fit tight enough there would be no issue of spinning in the wheel. There shouldn't be any play in that long center spacer between the inner bearing races; the first bearing might feel bottomed out, but not be, so if you think you can't get the second one down any further, and there's still back and forth play in that spacer, put the tool back on the first and see if it will go in some more. I also put a good coat of anti seize in that spacer and on all the axle that's between the forks. No fun pounding the axle out with a sledge hammer next time - had to do that on more than one used bike I got.

How easy is it to change your own bearings? Well....

 

What size bearings are in the 08 Ultra, 1" or 25mm?

 

Alright, I gotta ask...what's his hourly labor rate? Does he get paid in cash or Fruit Loops?

 

Another thing that has not been mentioned. If you have ABS you have to get the ABS bearing from the dealer. There is no aftermarket option.

 

25mm. '07 was the last of the 1" axle.

 

For some jobs he wants two jars...

 

The first year 08 HD 25mm wheel bearing were crap... Didn't last.. I had some go out on a 08 rear street glide wheel at about 25k..

 

My original bearings lasted till 65000 miles and changed them out for piece of mind before a trip last year. Now have 19000 on the second set front and back.
I bought my bearing tools from George's Garage.
Get two 36 mm rear axle wrenches so you don't have to remove the exhaust. Follow the 90 degree instructions to a t when you torque the nut.