Let me Preface this by saying I manage a car parts store and have come across this on cages.

Not sure it relates to HD or not, but since HD is sort of in bed with Ford, my guess is it has to do with ABS.

The newer focus's use a bearing in some way shape or form that has the tone ring inside it. If you install a bearing on a focus with the wrong side out, the abs light will trip..

Like I said not sure if this is the reason or not, only my guess..

 

I realize this thread is old so things may have changed, but the All Ball-s bearings I just received are absolutely identical on each side. Theres numbers/letters on the seal and nothing on the inner race.

So which side goes inward in that regard? 2012 Ultra (no ABS)

 

Your 25mm bearings have No orientation other than to NOT put them sideways ... just stick them in (of course putting the LF & RR bearing in first)


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👍👍

Was reading some bearing threads before doing an install (plus its super hot and tropical here today and rain so not working on the bike, All Ball-s or Sweaty *****, one in the same). Anyway, your posts on the Jims tool.....useful. The Pit Posse tool has the same flaw, so plan is to install but flip the one piece around before driving the bearing home. Huge thanks for the insight.

I do find myself wondering how some folks have these catastrophic bearing failures so quickly and frequently. One guy quoted it happened three times under 10k.

 

Flip both sides ... the "Flat" disc will always be reversed (no reason not too), but on the "piloted" installer side, start with the pilot and then flip when the large diameter just starts to enter the bore, but the bearing hasn't reached the center sleeve yet. Then Flip and finsh off at any torque up to the axle nut torque spec.

I would suggest trying to keep wheel horizontal to keep the sleeve vertical while installing the second bearing. I use a 5 gallon bucket with a big hole cut in the side for access.

Also insert the axle once for sleeve alignment just before that final bearing "seating"

Then insert it again after the bearings are seated. If you feel the sleeve had moved slightly during installation because it had to move again into alignment, then us the Tool again


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