ULYSSES DANGEROUS REAR WHEEL BEARING FAILURE

[danair]

06 Uly. Front bearings started growling at 13500. Replaced. Sprocket side rear failed today on the freeway at 80 mph. Got it to shoulder and towed. 15500 miles. Took out the spacer and who knows what else. Disturbing trend in these posts.

 

[uly luigi]

I would recommend if you are a serious rider, primary transportation is your bike, do not use the OEM wheel bearings, you can get a lot better quality from the aftermarket, and if you shop around probly a lot cheaper too, and if you want to get real serious, find you a '10 model rear wheel, they added a 3rd bearing on the pulley side, the low end torque of these bikes is hard on the bearings, not really disturbing, as with all things mechanical, keep an eye on it, tighten the loose bolts, when you wash it, do a decent inspection of it, almost all the bearing failures, mine included, gave a good bit of warning, in my case they were clicking/ticking, for almost 2 weeks before the failure

 

[wolfo68]

I have 30,000 miles on my firebolt and I haven't had a problem with the bearings yet.. that being said I will be checking them over and probably replacing them next week

 

[rb70383]

Hell check my thread "noise from front wheel" I am on my 4th bearing in the front wheel. On the 3rd fuel pump. Along with the second battery. Buell's fault? Not even close. Have just under 5k miles. I know I need to ride. Things prevented me from riding but not now. Back on the bike and loving it! Granted its gets old digging it out of storage and immediately have to fix something, but its worth it. Bike is an 03 9R

 

[danair]

Found a new 3 bearing wheel for the 06 for $300 and change with bearings. Did the belt just for good measure. 07 Uly has only 9k miles and I'm watching that bearing like a hawk. Interestlingly enough, when I did the front bearings, H-D sold me super old stock, A-suffix, bearings with the orange seals. Didn't know the diff until after I installed them. Be watching those too. Get B-suffix bearings with black seals.

 

[BuellyBagger]

i know this is an old thread but... pushed my bik into the garage after about a 150 mile ride. I heard a squeal from the rear(kinda a harmonic one like brakes) so i rolled it back and forth a few times and it did it only going foward and stopped after i fidgeted with the rear brake pads so my question... bearings? or just brake noise? 07' uly 7200 miles 2nd set of tires.

 

[BuellyBagger]

is there ne way to check without a motorcycle lift or center stand???

 

[steve92106]

Had my rear bearings go out at 25K miles. Now I know I'm going to replace every 15K, needed or not. As for the cost, mine was $200 labor and $46 parts but only because there was enough surface on the swing arm to seat against the bearing. The aluminum was pretty gouged by the balls squeezing out of the damaged race. A new swing arm would have likely cost me several more HMUs.

 

[06xbss]

Guess I'm just lucky.......

2006 Xb12Ss Had to replace front bearings at 28,000 and my rear bearings are still fine at 35,000.

I've done 90% of the tire changes myself, ~12 rear/~7 front, without a torque wrench....... I've ridden in every type of weather, even caught in a couple of snow storms. Even power wash my bike at least once a month, although I'm very careful to never spray my bearings.

 

[stevo]

Man!
I posted similar on another thread...got some nasty pics on my phone...need to upload.
My rear drive side went out- got funky. Trapped on a two lane, one way expressway, under construction with concrete barriers-
Recently had a tire put on...replaced bearings sometime before that, around the last tire change.
The center race split- no sign of the balls- ate the spacer on that side, gouged edge of axle, and increased the hole in the wheel.
Had hell getting it all out....
Things measure out OK by caliper, have new spacer and bearings, 'bout through with clean-up...lets try this again!!
Steveo

 

[stevo]

Stevo again- my post was under the Lighting...have the SCG, 2009.
If I'm intruding, lo siento Amigos...

 

[GregoXB]

Well Buells are the only motorcycles that use wheel bearings. Japanese bikes use magneto spherical tesla sockets. Just to clear up the confusion around here.

 

[matt87951]

Well Buells are the only motorcycles that use wheel bearings. Japanese bikes use magneto spherical tesla sockets. Just to clear up the confusion around here.

lol

How has this thread been active for the past 5-years?