Installing wheel bearings - Harley Forum

Tbone · #1 10-23-2009, 11:37 AM

I have a question for whomever has already installed wheel bearings before.
When you push the bearings in the wheels, is there a cut recess that stops the bearing at some point?
This is for either spoke wheel hubs or cast aluminum wheels. One answer each or for both if they are the same.

Gas Man · #2 10-23-2009, 04:57 PM

Yeah they will bottom out....

Are you pressing them in or using the hot/cold meathod?

Tbone · #3 10-23-2009, 05:07 PM

I was going to try to make a press out of a threaded rod and a few washers. I haven't heard about the hot/cold method. Freeze the bearings and heat the wheel I suppose? I know some dirt bike friends that have used the rod and nuts press method with great success. I don't want to buy a special tool that lists for about $290 (just like the inner primary bearing race tool).
I could get a machine shop to press them in but, I think this is going to be one of those "take 8 hours to make a tool for a 30 minute job" things.

Gas Man · #4 10-23-2009, 05:25 PM

Yeah most of your shops will do them for a decent price. Maybe half hour pr wheel.

But yeah the hot cold meathod is just like you said. Shrink the bearings in cold and heat the wheel. Works real good if you can get the wheel hub in an oven or something similar.

Tbone · #5 10-23-2009, 05:39 PM

This is Louisiana. I'll jut put them outside.

Gas Man · #6 10-23-2009, 07:10 PM

LOL... good call!

aceharleywrench · #7 10-26-2009, 07:58 AM

TBone,
I assume you are talking about the sealed wheel bearings & not the Timken tapered bearings from 99 & earlier.Putting them in is the easy part,but remember,always install the left side bearing first!

Tbone · #8 10-26-2009, 08:23 AM

Yeah. 2006 and I already prepared by reading the manual to see that there is an order to install. Thanks for the headsup, anyway. That's why I post. To make sure that I'm not missing something.

Tbone · #9 11-04-2009, 06:23 PM

Now about that bearing spacer. It looks like nothing holds it in place. How is it centered?