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[RayG]

Being a little paranoid about dealer damage to my rear wheel not once but twice. (which they hesitantly replaced) , I insisted that I stay with an Indy mechanic to install new bearings & a new tire.   

Once I was home I realised that the sprocket would not fit properly.  The guy has already removed the bearings twice due to the spacer being to tight once and once to loose.  The third time he thought he had it right, but as I mentioned once home the sprocket would not seat properly.  Can the bearings be removed that many times and still be OK? and is there a proper procedure on installing the rear bearings so it is done properly.  I'm trying to do preventative maintenance not make it worse.

This rear wheel continues to be a real nightmare for me.  I'm not bring it back until I get info from you guys!

Really need some help here

Thanks

Ray G. 

[RayG]

Is there anybody out there that could give me some advice on my rear bearings.  Just trying to make sure whoever does the work does it properly.  right now the bearing must be out to far as the sprocket hits the bearing but there is to much play.

[9 1/2 Beers]

 Jim Hd-dude

Metal Dragon 
22336 Meekland Avenue, Hayward, CA 94541
(510) 885-9471

 I would ask this guy 

 Marty

[Aussie]

I had the same issue with my front wheel bearings, dealer put them in wrong 2 times and on the third go they got it right.
I noticed they were installed wrong when the bearing was protruding out from the hub, (wrong spacing  I would say).

Anyway at a later date I decided to replace the bearings myself when the new revision came out and found the dealer put in a spacer that was doing nothing at all, it was just floating around not causing any issue just not needed so I left it out and all is OK.

It all comes down to how much research the dealer does before fitting new bearings, all wheels have different spacers and there will be data on what spacers to use for what wheel/bearing combination.

As a general rule the primary bearing (brake disc side) is fitted first and any spacers go on the opposite side. Well thats what I have done on my bikes and it works fine.

A parts manual will show the correct spacers to use, or if its a non standard wheel there should be fitting instructions for it. Try the HD P&A they usually have the instructions availalbe for down load.

[RayG]

Thanks for the reply,  Aussie, since I purchased the new bearings and I was present when they were being pulled & installed I made sure the old ones matched the new ones.  I'm guessing that he may have put the wrong one in first and since I failed to take the time to make sure the sprocket fit while I was there, I guess I’m partially responsible.  I thought enough to bring all the parts, new tire, bearings, new rotor, etc. I just didn't figure that it wouldn't fit.  Next time I will not leave until everything that could go wrong is checked. 

The story is much more complicated.  I had the Indy install the bearings and a new tire.  Once he installed the tire, he mounted the sprocket hub. Unfortunately, I was unaware he mounted the hub on the wrong side. I then drove home and proceeded to mount the tire.  When I was ready I lined up the hub to the correct side & noticed that the tire was mounted in the wrong direction, so back I went to have the tire direction changed.  I was home putting things back together and that’s when I noticed he put the hub on the wrong side which meant the tire was originally on right.  Back I went to have it put on the way it was and explained that he put the hub on the wrong side.  Once home, I put the hub, rotor etc only to find the sprocket wouldn't fit.  I needed to cool off a bit so I'll be going tomorrow.  Due to deep scratches and replacements from the HD dealer I decided to go to an Indy.  I once had a dealer tell me I was real lucky as they were replacing the rear wheel ABS sensor at no charge. I later found out they put it through the rotor so when they rolled the bike it was cut in half.  It’s things like that that made me go to the Indy shop where I could watch what was being done.  Hopefully, he can pull the bearing and install them properly tomorrow so I can button things up.

[dlaws01]

RayG, going to the dealership for maintenance on your bike is like going to Mexico to have an operation. I know that there must be experienced, well qualified mechanics working at dealerships but I unfortunately have not had any success finding them.  An example for me is when I had new tires installed on my scoot and carried in some dyna beads for them to install. First of all they said that they never heard of them which I found to be sort of suspect. Next was when I got my bike home, the next day my front tire was almost flat. I aired it up to pressure then sprayed soapy water on it and found an area where it was obvious that some of the dyna beads were sandwiched between the tire and rim.  Aired it back up and took off to the dealership to have them fix it, taking my soapy water spray bottle with me.  When the technician came outside to check it out, I showed him where the leak was with the soapy water and expressed my concern that they probably got some of the dyna bead caught in between the tire and rim.  He looks at me and says " Well, we'll pull it in and air it up for you so you can get on your way".  I stood there dumbfounded at such an idiotic remark thinking that maybe he was kidding.  He wasn't kidding, and I had to explain to him that I can add air to the tire and that I wanted them to break the tire bead away from the rim and clean out the dyna beads.  I felt like I was talking to someone taking my order at the drive through window at Micky D's.

[RayG]

I'm sure we could all write books on screw ups from dealerships, I know I have many more stupid things they either did or made suggestion to do.  I went to the Indy to avoid all this, as of today I went back to the Indy 4 times, finally found out that he installed the bearings on the wrong side.  You try to do maintenance so we can avoid possible breakdowns only to have the bearing removed & installed 4 times.  I don't know if I went forward or backward.  It just gets frustrating not knowing where to go or where to turn for good service.  Not all of us are lucky enough to live near Jim from Metal Dragon or someone close to his capabilities.   

[dlaws01]

Glad that you finally found the fix and got it corrected.  I know how frustrating it can be and that is why I perform most of my own maintenance. However, there are those times when you are at the mercy of going to the shop for repairs.  Keep asking others around your area and hopefully you'll find that shop which earns your confidence and business.

[Big C.]

  Ray, Check in with R&R next time you need something done.  Have alway been happy with them from motor work to maintenance that was over and above my skill level.

[scttgr8]

  from what I see and read here, seems the indy and mr Rayg should not be doing there own work.  I realize I work at a dealer and some dealers do have bad raps.  what I have found to be true is that many indys are former dealer techs that just could not measure up to HD standards.  I have also found equally as many that were  on there own because they had standards higher than the HD shop they were working in.  I grew up in the 4 wheel side of this puzzle and it is true there as well...good doctors/bad doctors...good cops/bad cops...it all boils down to the individual techs pride of workmanship.  and that is just my opinion based from personal experiences.

PS if the bearings were put in and out that many times, I would be concerned with premature failure also

[dlaws01]

scttgr8, I agree with you about good and bad techs out there at the dealerships and independent shops.  There isn't much that can be done about policing the independents other than word of mouth and reputation, however, I think that H-D dealerships do have a level of responsibility to maintain a service department that is representative of the H-D name and should strive to obtain the best techs available in their area.  When a technician is performing substandard workmanship, he should be shown the door.  It is difficult when good work is not recognized throughout the riding community but poor work is spread around like wildfire.  I face the same challenges in being an aircraft technician.

[RayG]

scottgrg,

I really have to take offense to your opinion that I should not be doing my own work.  Were you just born with all the knowledge or was there a little trial & error. I'm willing to learn I'm just not willing to be treated like crap from a few local dealerships.  You were not the one that had to eat the cost for replacing clutch hub that had stripped splines.  There is a photo & a post somehere showing all the metal that was stuck to my drain plug magnet.  Out of 4 dealerships only one said that it should be looked at the other three said it was normal and would not do the repair.  Not trying to make a personal attack but maybe you should know a little more before you pass judgemet.  I do agree that the Indy should look for another line of work.