Did my new car tire ruin my rear wheel bearings?

[Bubbas]

I had just put a new car tire on my 99 IS and the rear wheel bearings went out and did so with gusto...
Did the new tire caus this or just coincidence?

Should I try to replace the bearings myself or just pay to get it done? I'm an ok wrencher not a pro by any means and I don't have any specialty tools..I just want back on the road as soon as I can..

[N8171S]

Replacing the bearings is an easy job.  Why not do the left side double row bearing mod while it is apart.  You will have to have the spacer machined down so the wider bearing will fit.  Don both of my valks.

[Grandpot]

I've been running a CT for 60,000 miles.  No bearing problems.  I have the Honda OEM bearings.

[Willow]

There is no history of any tire ruining bearings.  They do often go out soon after a tire change.  My gues would be something done in the process of emoving and replacing the wheel damages them.

It's often not that hard to do for a fair mechanic.  The exception would be if the bearing failure has caused the outer race to bond with the wheel.

[Gryphon Rider]

Two car tires; original bearings.

[MP]

No.

[Crackerborn]

My new to me Valk came with MC tire and 27,500 miles on the clock last Nov. The winter showed up the day I brought the Girl home so no riding for a few months after. Once I was riding again, the rear bearings crashed and burned before I put 500 miles on her. At that point I went dark side, did the bearing mod, found the rear end had never been serviced, and managed to put another thousand or so miles on the Big Girl before the yoke (u-joint) started making clanking sounds. I don't believe any  of the above problems are anything but lack of care by the PO(s?). She now has more than 36,000 on the clock and purrs like a kitten until the right wrist gets heavy, then the dragon is loose. You are a victim of circumstances, these Big Girls are solid. If you decide to do your own bearings, lay the wheel in the sun for a few hours before trying to remove the bearings. It really helps.

[PhredValk]

My rear left bearing grenaded 23k miles after going DS, a friend's went two weeks after going DS. Tires have no bearing (pun intended) on any other system on the bike unless they rub on the swingarm or bottom out too soon.
Fred.

[Tapout]

  What is the tell tail sigh of the bearing going out?  42,000 on my 01 interstate. just cureious.
 what should the life span be on rear bearings?

[Bone]

Both wheels of my 98 Tourer have 117k miles on them.

[Daniel Meyer]

  What is the tell tail sigh of the bearing going out? 

Every time you pull a wheel, stick the axle just into the bearing, then put a little downward pressure on it and roll it with your palm. Should feel nothing but smooth. Do each bearing separately.

If they feel smooth, they'll last till the next time. If they're not smooth, they're on their way out. It's quite pronounced feeling...no question at all.

Wipe the grease off the edges of them each time, and dab some fresh grease on the seal...yes, they're sealed...but this keeps dust/water from penetrating/wearing the seal...if you do this, they'll last a lifetime unless they were defective, not installed correctly, or damaged during install. Also change the dust seals in the wheel every couple years or so. Cheap, easy, done during tire change.

I'm at nearly 200,000 miles...vast majority of that on car-tires (rear), and original bearings.

Wheel bearing failures on most motorcycles are an aberration...something was wrong/defective/overlooked...they should last a LONG time...

[cokebottle10]

Pressure washing at a manual car wash can get water in the bearings. There is no service for the bearings. Just check them every time you change the tire. (10,000 miles+/-)

On the last day of my trip to NH and back I notice a sound like the brakes were draging just a little at low speed. But when I tapped the brakes the sound did not stop. I made it home okay with no problems. When I checked the bike the left side rear bearing was shot. All the other ones were good but I changed both of them in the rear. Both were easly to tap out. I put the new ones in the frezer over night and left the wheel out in the sun. Used all-thread and the old bearings to put the new ones back in. No problem at all.

Thanks,
David in Fletcher NC

[Bubbas]

Mine started with the dragging brake sound, by the time I got home it sounded so loud and clanking I was sure I had lost the u joint. I didn't know about the double row bearing until I had already had the bearings replaced at the dealer in Cour d alane, Idaho, they charged me $140 for the parts and labor.

Hopefully I'll spend the rest of the summer riding, I live in north east  Washington and repairs are a pain, no close dealers and the ones in Spokane won't work on my 1999 since it's too old....

[Crackerborn]

They treated you fairly. The OEM bearings are typically as solid as any mass produced product and should give you many miles of service. The bearings are sealed so there is nothing to do for maintenance, just don't forget to lube the splines at the final drive every 10k. Peruse Shop Talk and you can find many helpful tips since you seem to have a prima donna stealership in your area.

[PhredValk]

When my rear left bearing went out, it sounded and felt like a plastic bag or wooden stick was trapped inside the fender. The sound and vibration went away when stopped and when at speeds over 30MPH, but returned when I braked or slowed down for lights, stop signs etc. When I removed the wheel the inner race and most of the balls fell out on the ground. The rest of the balls were represented by black dust.
I have no idea how this didn't affect the handling of the bike at hiway speed, but am damn glad it didn't. The replacement bearing was $11. at the local agricultural parts/machine/welding shop. Being 2100 miles away from home at my sister's place, the bike jack, torque wrench, and huge socket to remove the wheel was over $200.
Fred.