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[SIX38]

Just returned from a fantastic trip out to the Southwest and did 2800 miles in AZ, UT, CO and NM in some of the most beautiful scenery in this country. The bad news is that while doing a post ride checkout and getting my 09 SEUC ready for the upcoming trip to the Maggie Valley GTG, I found that both front wheel bearings have failed. I guess 11000 miles is too much for this Chinese sourced crap.
 The good news is that I found this in my garage and not while testing my riding skills on some of the scary, no guardrail, shear dropoff Rocky Mtn. roads we were enjoying on our trip. Thank you Lord!
 The list of deficiencies on this motorcycle just keeps growing, but for the first time in my life, the purchase of an ESP has paid off and looks like it will continue to do so. Don't leave the dealer without one boys and girls!
God Bless America and Never Forget 9/11/01
Tom P.
 

[Buy early]

Sorry to hear about your problem. Glad it manifested itself between trips!

[Hugh Janis]

What inspection did you do to identify bad bearings?  I've always assumed that the noise of a bad bearing is the 1st indication of failure.

[SBB]

What inspection did you do to identify bad bearings?  I've always assumed that the noise of a bad bearing is the 1st indication of failure.

I'm with Jim, how do you tell?
My 09 SEUC had 49,965 miles on it when I traded it and the original bearings were still there.
Is this something that should be checked at a certain mileage?

SBB

[Hank Hankerson]

Good that you found the problem before another trip.  I just looked at my dad's bike when I came home today and discovered I'd lost a headbolt cover.  Yesterday I lost the irreplaceable billet detatchable seat bolt...rattled off but luckily that bolt was found by the garage where I warmed up the bike.  When I worked at the H-D shop and people came in saying they'd lost their mirrors and various other bolts and accessories, I thought it was just lack of checking everything.  Now I know that they really do shake parts loose or break them.  Oh well.

[muddypaws]

At 43,000 miles my right bearing went out. I noticed a wobble when I hit the front brake. When I removed the wheel the bearing fell apart. You can check the bearings with a flashlight. You might also see a rust stain if the seal went bad on your brake router.

[mjb765]

Gald you found this one at home Tom. Have a safe ride to MV...wish I was going with ya

Mike

[SIX38]

What inspection did you do to identify bad bearings?  I've always assumed that the noise of a bad bearing is the 1st indication of failure.

On the last 2 days of the trip, I began to hear/feel a very slight differance from the normal input of sounds and vibrations. It was clearly from the front end, and since the mountain roads had given the brakes a real workout, my first thought was pads or rotors. At 11000 miles, I wasn't thinking bearings. Upon getting home, after unpacking, I put the bike on the jack, lifted the front and as soon as I spun the wheel, a distinct roughness was felt and it was making some ugly sounds. Pulled both calipers from discs but the problem remained. Dammit, wheel bearings. Dropped the wheel, both bearings were shot. I'm real fortunate that one or both did not fail catastrophicaly while under way. Not usually a happy ending.
 If the failure of the bearing was not as obvious as it was, my next step would have been to check for excessive run-out with a dial indicator. But in this case it was obvious.
 Hmmmm, what will the next challange be???
Tom P.  

[1sharprdkg]

Always better to find those problems with the bike in your garage.

[SIX38]

Gald you found this one at home Tom. Have a safe ride to MV...wish I was going with ya

Mike

Thank you Mike. At least my radio worked great! As far as MV, we'll do our own GTG locally when I get back.
Stay well,
Tom P.

[murphy]

My rear ones went at 35k this summer... my advice to everyone, check yours!

[Twolanerider]

My rear ones went at 35k this summer... my advice to everyone, check yours!

As just a prophylactic repair I replace the wheel bearings at whatever tire change happens between 40 and 50k miles.  Of course they get felt up at every tire change before that and the wheels get spun and pushed on when they're off the ground.  But bearings are cheap.  Good bearings in the aftermarket can be had for close to $20 a pair.  Not worth not covering your butt for that simple of a parts swap.

[SG Racer]

I had the same thing happen to me going to Austin Texas this summer on my 99 model. Just started to sound a little different. Good catch.
Ray

[BubbaBlue]

What inspection did you do to identify bad bearings?  I've always assumed that the noise of a bad bearing is the 1st indication of failure.

Service Manual for touring models 2011 discribes the check on 2-29. Attach a dial indicator mag base to the brake rotor and zero the indicator on the end of the axle with the wheel pushed to the indicator. Now push the wheel away from the indicator and the travel should be .002" or less.

[SIX38]

Good News:
 Dealer replaced both front and rear wheel bearings under ESP. Only cost the $50.00 deductable plus my customary tips to tech and service manager (money well spent, they treat me well.) Front bearings were in real bad shape with only 12000 miles on them.
Bad News:
 About ready to leave for the Maggie Valley GTG, and here comes the rain!!!
 My fault, should not have detailed bike yesterday.
Tom P.