I just pulled the bearings out of my front wheel on my 2012 Ultra, they are in good shape, just replacing them because I know this year is known for failure and I'm replacing the back bearings anyways. SO....HERE IN LIES THE ISSUE.
Once I removed the bearings I noticed the spacer sleeve was a sloppy fit into the wheel on the left side, the wheel is not worn, seems to be machined like this. But when I removed the right side. HOLY SH*+!! There is a pretty noticeable difference in the sizes of the r and l of the wheel? IS THIS NORMAL? I understand the sleeve is just that, a sleeve but by this design if a bearing fails you are SOL. IS THIS SLEEVE AND WHEEL HUB CORRECT? Is one side of the wheel supposed to be larger than the other and is the sleeve supposed to be basically a piece of schedule 40 black pipe. The bike only had 100 miles on it when I got it so.....HELP

 

The sleeve is not a tight fit in the bore and it's not supposed to be. It's simply a spacer, not aNY kindication of supper for the wheel. When you press the new bearing in, make sure you check the alignment of the spacer so you can get the axle in.

 

Thanks. Just wanted to verify before re-assembly. Service manual don't touch on the ID for the wheel.

 

Remember to install the "Primary" side bearing first...Front-Left & Right-Rear. The service manual should touch on that

 

That picture makes it look much worse than it is, since the bearings will center the entire assembly and support the axle and inner sleeve. It serves the purpose of maintaining the side to side bearing positioning. As the HD dealer would tell you..."its perfectly normal".

 

Just remember left front bearing gets seated all the way into the hub and the right bearing is only pressed in untill it just touches inner spacer.

 

Does anyone know if putting the primary side bearing first applies for the rear wheel?

 

Yes, Right side first on rear is primary brake disk side. If ABS equipped be sure to get the ABS Bearing.

 

Follow the Brake disc side (if dual disc in front, then LEFT Side), so for example, Sportster Rear's "Primary" Side would be the LEFT.



For this thread's application..."2012 Ultra"...(just 3 posts previous on the same page)

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