Harley Davidson Dyna Glide: Suspension Noises Diagnostic Guide

This article applies to Harley Davidson Dyna Glide models (1991-2016).

You might be hearing things. After all, Harley Davidsons are traditionally very noisy machines, and the Dyna Glide models are no different. If you find when riding over larger bumps, or being hard on the brakes, you hear a clunk here and a squeak there, it may be signs that your motorcycle is in need of a little TLC. Below, we will discuss a few of the noises that you may be hearing and what they could mean for your Dyna Glide.

Symptom 1 – Front end clunk

Do you hear a loud clunk when you ride over a bump or railroad tracks? It is almost certainly your steering neck bearing. This isn't necessarily a suspension component per se, but it is the cause of 90% of what people believe to be their forks rattling. This is the bearing that surrounds your steering stem inside the steering neck of the frame. It is what connects your front forks to your motorcycle frame, and it takes a beating. This is an extremely common issue with Dyna Glides, but it doesn't necessarily mean something is wrong. To check your steering neck bearing, perform the following tasks:

• Visual inspection of the steering head bearing while the bike is on the ground. If nothing appears out of the ordinary, proceed to the next step.
• Turn your forks from full left to full right slowly, multiple times. If you don't notice any play or clicking, proceed to the next step.
• Jack the motorcycle off of the ground, and secure it to the jack with tie downs. Then, grab your front wheel and pull it forward, away for the frame. If no play is detected, move to the next step.
• Perform a "Fall-Away" test on your Dyna. If no discrepancy exists, your steering neck bearing is probably within spec. This does not mean that the clunk will go away, however. Unfortunately, this is a known issue and little can be done except to change your neck bearings, which does not always fix it. Some motorcycles just have that clunk, and it can be quite loud.

Here's a simple video that shows how to check and adjust the play in the steering stem bearings.

Related Video: How to Set Harley Front End Play

Symptom 2 – Rear suspension squeak

Is your rear suspension squeaking when you hit a large bump? Get unwanted noises when riding two-up or with cargo on your bike? Check out these possible issues if experiencing those symptoms. Rear suspension squeaks almost always seem to be loudest while riding. This can make troubleshooting slightly more difficult, but not impossible because most Harleys are noisy machines. Sometimes, you check everything and it sill makes a noise you don't like. Don't let it drive you crazy, just inspect the possible culprits to make sure they are safe and within spec. If everything is within spec, you may have a noise that you have to live with. Harley Davidsons have their own personalities and quirks, as you will soon find out.

• Check rear shock bolts for proper torque.
• Check rear shock eye bushings for wear. An overly worn bushing will cause issues with your motorcycle.
• Check the rear swing arm bushing. Remove the cap with a small, flat-blade screwdriver and spray a small amount of WD-40 on it. Reinstall cap.
• Check your final drive belt for proper tension. A belt that is too tight will squeak when the suspension travels.
• Check your sissy bar or backrest if you have one. I know that it sounds crazy, but I have personally witnessed these making noises very similar to rear suspension problems. The simplest solution is often the correct solution.

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