10K Service - Need Rear Wheel Bearings?
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4th Gear
Joined: Aug 2020
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From: Colorado
10K Service - Need Rear Wheel Bearings?
2017 Limited CVO with 10,371 miles. In for the 10K service and the Harley Davidson dealer shop is telling me it needs new rear wheel bearings. The cost installed is $140 so not a major deal on price and I'm having it done of course, but what a shock that this almost new bike needs these replaced! I will say the backend was getting a little loose, but I thought it was the tire wear and the tires are also being replaced as they were getting a little thin.
Did a search but couldn't find anything here or online, but is this crazy uncommon? I generally hand wash the bike but have been used some pressure washers on occasion when needed, but not more than may 5 times total.
I've had several Harley's over the years and can't recall ever having to replace wheel bearings.
Did a search but couldn't find anything here or online, but is this crazy uncommon? I generally hand wash the bike but have been used some pressure washers on occasion when needed, but not more than may 5 times total.
I've had several Harley's over the years and can't recall ever having to replace wheel bearings.
Seasoned HDF Member
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From: Michigan 15 Minutes East Of Hell
Wheel bearing replacement is pretty common with the sealed bearing set up now being used ... Having said that they will generally exhibit noise or show signs of rust ( cinnamon looking powder ) around the seal area
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4th Gear
Joined: Aug 2020
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From: Colorado
Thanks, Uncle Larry. As noted I was going to have the dealer check why the rear end seemed "loose" in turns, but forgot and I do believe these are bad. Just didn't know if this is something to expect to replace every 10K or not. Hope not!
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Ask the dealer for the old parts (bearings) back. You'll be able to check them yourself and verify if they were defective. That's assuming that the bearings don't get damaged during the removal process.
Novice
Joined: Feb 2017
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From: Indy
I took my front tire in Monday for balancing as it had a shake in the 70-80 mph range. They said new bearings needed. Bearings were replaced last year, but I have put 8K on since then. It seems the bearings are a common wear item, I have put front and rear in twice now in 40K. Not sure dealer bearing are the way to go, plenty of aftermarket options. I asked for them back and I plan to send them back for a refund if possible. I expect more than 8K out of them.
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2017 Limited CVO with 10,371 miles...The cost installed is $140...
the belt pulley also has 2 bearings (well my baggers do). are they replacing those too?
have been used some pressure washers on occasion when needed, but not more than may 5 times total.
I've had several Harley's over the years and can't recall ever having to replace wheel bearings.
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Thread Starter
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4th Gear
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 8
Likes: 4
From: Colorado
Thanks for all of the replies as this was very helpful!
I'll ask for the old parts back, but I've been working with this dealer for 20+ years and know some of the employees personally, so I have no question about needing these if they say they are needed. I didn't ask and they didn't tell me about the pulley bearings but I will ask.
I looked here and in other places last night and am shocked about how common this is on low-mileage bikes! My last bike was a 2005 Ultra and never had any wheel bearings replaced over almost 50K miles. I know the guy I sold it to has not had them replaced either, so it makes sense HD is using cheaper bearings in the newer bikes.
They already replaced the bearings and I didn't ask for All ***** bearings as I read about these last evening when it was too late, but I'll ask when I pick the bike up this morning what brand they used, I suspect it was HD as that is what I usually ask for, but I'll find out and if needed in the future will go with a better quality brand.
I'm careful to hand wash the bike here at home, but I've been on trips where the only option is to ride a filthy bike or use the pressure washer at a car wash somewhere. The bearings should be able to handle this on occasion, and my last bike had many washes without trouble.
Thanks again for the helpful posts as this helped me a ton!
I'll ask for the old parts back, but I've been working with this dealer for 20+ years and know some of the employees personally, so I have no question about needing these if they say they are needed. I didn't ask and they didn't tell me about the pulley bearings but I will ask.
I looked here and in other places last night and am shocked about how common this is on low-mileage bikes! My last bike was a 2005 Ultra and never had any wheel bearings replaced over almost 50K miles. I know the guy I sold it to has not had them replaced either, so it makes sense HD is using cheaper bearings in the newer bikes.
They already replaced the bearings and I didn't ask for All ***** bearings as I read about these last evening when it was too late, but I'll ask when I pick the bike up this morning what brand they used, I suspect it was HD as that is what I usually ask for, but I'll find out and if needed in the future will go with a better quality brand.
I'm careful to hand wash the bike here at home, but I've been on trips where the only option is to ride a filthy bike or use the pressure washer at a car wash somewhere. The bearings should be able to handle this on occasion, and my last bike had many washes without trouble.
Thanks again for the helpful posts as this helped me a ton!
Thread Starter
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4th Gear
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 8
Likes: 4
From: Colorado
Follow-up post: Spoke with the dealer and they said wheel bearing failures are not as uncommon as they used to be. On my bike, the back wheel got wider and the axle thicker, so there wasn't as much room for a bigger bearing. Not sure if that holds water, but it is what they told me. They had already done the work and put in HD parts, but I told them if it happens again I would want better quality parts like All ***** installed. They also mentioned Timken bearings as a possibility.
They did check the front wheel bearings and said those were good but didn't get to ask about the belt pulley bearings F150HD mentioned.
I had new tires installed and ran the bike up the highway and some aggressive corners and the back end tracked solidly and was no longer "loose", so I'm a happy camper!
Off to Sturgis next week!
They did check the front wheel bearings and said those were good but didn't get to ask about the belt pulley bearings F150HD mentioned.
I had new tires installed and ran the bike up the highway and some aggressive corners and the back end tracked solidly and was no longer "loose", so I'm a happy camper!
Off to Sturgis next week!
