Damn front bearings!!!

[GAXB9R]

[mad] Well I think my front left bearing went out again. I'm starting to wonder if there is something else going on other than faulty bearings.

2003 Firebolt 8100 miles.

First set of bearings went out right at 7,000 miles. I believe it was the left side if I remember correctly. Replaced with OEM bearings because I couldn't find the other brand, which i cant remember, that everyone talks highly about.

Now it seems the wheel itself has shifted to the right pushing the right bearing right against the fork. So I just got back from a ride and thankfully it did it right as I was turning on my street, but I cant be doing this every 1k miles. Don't have time to get her in the air to take the wheel off to be 100% sure thats what it is tonight, but Im going to try tomorrow if I can get off work at a decent time. So in the mean time any thoughts of why this would have happened? They were seated correctly in the wheel when replaced.

 

[GAXB9R]

Also can someone post a front photo shot of their front tire showing the width of the fork to the bearing on both sides. Thanks in advance.

 

[oh9bolt]

 

[GAXB9R]

Thanks oh9

 

[d_adams]

Failure of the wheel bearings is usually from over torquing the axle.

 

[GAXB9R]

That could be the case unfortunately.

 

[user_deleted]

try skk or all balls bearing sets the next time. readily available on evilbay and local parts houses. and what d-adams said on axle torque. small dab of anti-seize on axle threads prior to install helps. i install and tighten axle by hand, loosen 1/4 turn, spin wheel, then torque to factory specs. good bearings should last 10k miles or more...IMO

 

[OldGeezer]

10k is still pretty pathetic though, I put 40k on my beemer's and they were still perfect. Mind you that was a long time ago when they built bikes differently

 

[user_deleted]

geezer: i agree 100% and regularly see sportster and big twins with wheel bearings that go 50K miles with no issues. my thoughts are that if you have bad stock bearings, replace with quality aftermarket like i mentioned and stay away from pressure washers and the sort, torque axles properly, the bearings should last for tens of thousands of miles.

 

[Morbid]

Check the inner spacer between the bearings for wear on the ends from when your first bearing went bad. If the spacer is wore it will just keep ruining bearings.

 

[Jramsey]

Failure of the wheel bearings is usually from over torquing the axle.

+10

The lightweight Aluminum tube can be crushed from over tightening,here's pic showing the proper length of a slightly used but not abused front spacer.

 

[Applepooh]

20k on my stock '05 xb12 bearings...
Stock everything on that bike still, ride it daily.
All these stories about shit breaking at 8k scares me... Got the bike with 5k in August...

 

[GAXB9R]

Thanks for all the input. I'm gonna check it out this weekend. [up]

 

[d_adams]

One other thing, installation of the bearings can ruin them if they get hammered into place improperly. They should either be pressed in or use a tool to compress both sides at the same time to pull them in. Pressure should be applied to the outer race only. The poor man's version is some all-thread, 2 nuts/washers and the correct size sockets on each side to catch the outer race of the bearings.

 

[GAXB9R]

^^ Good Idea. Thanks[up] I used a block of wood and they went in evenly. I believe I over torqued them if anything.