Check your front wheel bearings for grease marks?
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 491
Likes: 0
From: New York City Area
Wheel Bearings
EricD10563
WOW thats scary glad you caught that the wheel could have locked yp if the bearing failed that is unbelieveable. I just had my 08 Electra Glide Classic at the dealers for the 10K service and the tech heard a weird noise coming from the front wheel when he spun it on the lift while servicing the bike. He replaced the front wheel bearing under warranty!! Glad you and the bike are all upright and OK, Ride Safe BV
WOW thats scary glad you caught that the wheel could have locked yp if the bearing failed that is unbelieveable. I just had my 08 Electra Glide Classic at the dealers for the 10K service and the tech heard a weird noise coming from the front wheel when he spun it on the lift while servicing the bike. He replaced the front wheel bearing under warranty!! Glad you and the bike are all upright and OK, Ride Safe BV
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 808
Likes: 1
From: so.jersey
I thought I had heard some noise coming out of my front end or engine and of course when I pulled over I heard nothing and just rolling at slow speed I heard nothing.
Today though I could hear clearly that something was wrong and knew it was front end noise. I pulled over twice on the way home going slowly trying to figure it out. Then I saw the rubber was starting to pull off the bearing and I pulled it and could plainly see what was going on.
It ended there and my local dealer picked me and the bike up within a half hour. BTW the bike rolled fine even the dealership guys couldn't believe that it rolled fine. It was making some nasty noise though on my final stop.
Was scheduled to be brought in Wed for both tires to be changed, bike has almost 11k miles. Here are the pictures I took from the side of the road.
BTW I also noticed that when the bike got wet I thought that I saw grease or dirt that lookied like it was getting onto the rotor, I assume thats exactly what it was now the bearing was not sealed and the grease was escaping out evently causing failure.
Today though I could hear clearly that something was wrong and knew it was front end noise. I pulled over twice on the way home going slowly trying to figure it out. Then I saw the rubber was starting to pull off the bearing and I pulled it and could plainly see what was going on.
It ended there and my local dealer picked me and the bike up within a half hour. BTW the bike rolled fine even the dealership guys couldn't believe that it rolled fine. It was making some nasty noise though on my final stop.
Was scheduled to be brought in Wed for both tires to be changed, bike has almost 11k miles. Here are the pictures I took from the side of the road.
BTW I also noticed that when the bike got wet I thought that I saw grease or dirt that lookied like it was getting onto the rotor, I assume thats exactly what it was now the bearing was not sealed and the grease was escaping out evently causing failure.
that is a scary.do tou think a hard hit like a pothole or bump may blow the seal like that?
guess i'll keep an eye on that one. could create a big problem at speed .thanks for the heads up.
Stage II
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From:
I removed the rotor covers on my '06 Ultra, with 25k miles, while checking for another problem and found grease leaking from the left bearing onto the rotor. Once the mess was cleaned up the bearing still looked and felt good. Had new bearings installed yesterday.
Club Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 21,782
Likes: 23,043
From: North Carolina
I sell bearings for a living and usually when I see this type of failure they have already locked up and done some damage to the hub or spindle.
You are one very lucky fellow and were wise to not ride the bike any farther.
Thanks for sharing
You are one very lucky fellow and were wise to not ride the bike any farther.
Thanks for sharing
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 521
Likes: 2
From: Port Richey, Florida
I had a rear bearing fail last week on my 2008 Train that looked just like that!! It seems to be happening more than you think lately. I was running about 70 when mine gave up and a really loud screech and a big twitch in the bike was the only warning I had. I was on my return trip from up north back to Florida on a sunday evening and got lucky and found a great dealership about 50 miles from where I broke down. They came early next morning and picked up the bike and me and I was on the road that afternoon. BTW my bike is a 2008 Train with 41000 miles on it and this was the 1st issue I have had with the bike. Also the 1st time dealership has seen the bike as I do all my own work and services. Everything was covered by HD except tow. The Dealership that did repair was at exit 59 on interstate 70 in Ohio, called Mid Ohio Harley-Davidson, real nice people, clean shop, could have not asked for better treatment!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,202
Likes: 3,089
From: NW AR
Just as an aside, always use Genuine H.D. wheel bearing grease. Accept no substitutes. If you take it to an indy, just make sure you brring your own jar if they don't have it and insist they use yours.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Becomes a Dark, Decepticon-Inspired Custom
Verdad Gallardo
6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public
Verdad Gallardo
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window
Verdad Gallardo
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,202
Likes: 3,089
From: NW AR
Oh, you guys with the Newfangled Bearings, I guess you just need extra wheel bearings instead of grease. Anyone with the older style bearings that can be repacked, they need the HD grease.