another wheel bearing post

[Eagle 1]

about 1800 miles (that is not a typo) ago I had new wheel bearings (along with many other things done) installed in my 99 VAlk. interstate, guess what, I just jacked up the front and spun and wiggled the front tire, bearings are gone. I had suspected as much since there were a lot of front end noise that I kept putting off as road/tire noise due to the millage since bearings were installed.
My thoughts;
1. Old bearings were not actually replaced.
2. very cheep new ones were installed.
3. new bearing were installed incorrectly.
At this point its any ones guess, so I will (this time) replace them myself, and in that vein can any of the members give their opinions as to the best ball bearings for this application? I would like to not do this again for some time.
Any help will be greatly appreciated.

[old2soon]

O E M on the bearings and follow the reinstall SEQUENCE when putting her back together. I replaced my rear wheel bearings-well Atticrat did the work-at 103000 and now at 110000 and ZERO problemos. O E M bearings. Problem of a dealer working on the original Valkyrie be most if not all the techs haven't seen one much less worked on one. I' NOT layin blame at anyones feet but you should really KNOW your tech. RIDE SAFE.

[gordonv]

Axle put in wrong, not seated all the way? A 1-in-a-1000 bad bearings?

I would buy new bearings from a bearing house, rather than expensive OEM. Buy the best. Which ones are those? Who knows which ones those would be? It's like politics, everyone has an opinion.

[Dusty]

 Fag bearings or  SKF are big brands.  I would do bearing house or industrial suppliers before OEM . Bearings are easy to install wrong and sometimes they fail early. Doing it yourself  takes lots of the variables out of the install. When installing press only on the outer race.  My $ .02

Dusty

[Tfrank59]

Just my two cents here, but I'd guess that if they did put in new bearings they were installed incorrectly.  I replaced both front and rear wheel bearings on my bike myself – I'm a machinist – and they weren't the expensive OEM bearings and they're holding up just fine. It really does pay to do your own work, provided you have the right tools and know-how. I think you can get the latter on this forum.  Let us know how it goes.

[Cruzen]

According to the parts sheet the Interstate front wheel bearing is different than the standard or Tourer.  This is probably posted somewhere but can anyone provide me with the actual bearing number for the Valk Interstate if I was to purchase from a regular bearing company.  They do not seem to use the same bearing numbers as OEM?  Right now I have Koyo 62042RSC3 but I think that is for the Standard.  According to the parts sheet the Interstate front wheel bearing is different.

Thanks,

[Dusty]

At the top of this page click on Shop talk.  O n the top of the shop talk page  click on Jeff K's Generic parts.  Here's his info.


Wheel Bearings
1997 Front 6004-2RS

1998-2000

Front, 6204-2RS or  6204LL

And all models left rear 6204-2RS or  6204LL

(same bearing different mfg.) 6204 is size, letters indicate sealed both sides. See below about seal designation

 

 1997-2000 All right rear  5204??  Double Row Angular Contact Bearing

They need to be sealed both sides.

MRC #5204ZZ

RSR #5204EE

IKS #52042RS

The list goes on, and on. Just get a 5204 that is sealed on both sides. Mfg's use different suffixes to designate seal configuration. The list would be as long as my arm. And if you ask for a 5204 2RS and the child behind the counter knows nothing about bearings, he may tell you they don't have it. But they do have 5204ZZ's. But that isn't what you asked for.

If you have a "bearing house" nearby go there and ask for a 5204 with seals on both sides, then keep a spare at home. They only cost about $11


Dusty
 

[Cruzen]

Thank you for the info.  I am starting to hear a bit of noise from the front end and wondering if the front bearings might need replacement.  I have had this noise for about a year and originally thought it was due to the front tire.  I recently replaced that, followed the procedure for reinstalling the front tire and the noise is still there so now I am thinking it might be the start of a bearing issue.  The noise is somewhat like the sound you get when riding over textured pavement.  Since some of my trips are over somewhat hostile areas that do not have cell phone service I feel the need to be better safe than sorry.  I have already experienced a problem when a rear tire delaminated in a dead cell phone area and I almost got hijacked by two guys in a truck.

Sandy had turned me onto a local provider of bearings and some years ago I purchased three of the 6204 bearings but somehow two of them have gone for a walk.  Time for me to revisit that facility.

Thanks again,