***CONTEST*** Rear Wheel Bearing failure : (

[KY,Dave (AKA Misunderstood)]

Okay so I think I have rear bearing failure and have suspected it for a little while. Definately hear what I think is them now.   Here's where the contest comes in. Anyone that has had one go bad, please describe what it sounded like from the 1st hint thru the progression so I can compare what I'm hearing. I'm holding back so as not to lead people and also because I can't describe things worth a lick. Thanks in advance for all responses.  

Oh and this contest doesn't really have any prize other then you get to help a fellow Valk Enthusiast out as he's learning his bike.  Just imagine the JOY that will bring you !!

[Valker]

It varies....Mine started 'clicking' when turning slow, progressed over the next 30 miles to town into a clunking. My firends' bearing never made a sound. He heard his brake disk rubbing on the caliper, stopped to look, and the axle was chewing through the spacer on the left side. Whole wheel/tire was sloping left.

[KY,Dave (AKA Misunderstood)]

It varies....Mine started 'clicking' when turning slow, progressed over the next 30 miles to town into a clunking. My firends' bearing never made a sound. He heard his brake disk rubbing on the caliper, stopped to look, and the axle was chewing through the spacer on the left side. Whole wheel/tire was sloping left.

Thanks Valker. I was hearing something in the back and wasn't sure if it was brakes or a bearing. Seemed to speed up or slow down with the rotation speed of the tire.  Just replaced the pads on the back and they're fine now, but the sound from the back has become more pronounced and is definately metal in nature. Not quite a grinding. Engine runs smooth as can be and tranny engages fine. I just can't imagine what it could be besides a bearing. I got the bike with 36,000 miles and have ridden around town as well as a trip to Maine and back. Mileage is now at 42,000. Had my mother in law on the back (hold your jokes boys) for a short ride around the block and that's when it sounded like metal to me. Anyone else got any experience with rear bearings and what they sounded like. Gotta put it on a lift, but haven't made my adapter yet.

[Willow]

Clicking, grinding, and, if you let it go long enough, squealing with the application of the rear brake.

When it squeals, it's way too late.

[Chrisj CMA]

When Mine went bad, I felt nothing wrong while riding, but when rolling the bike backward into my parking space in the family room I was hearing a distinct click click click........also there was a very slight lateral play in the wheel.  If you put the bike up on a lift so the rear wheel is off the ground, then grab the bottom of the wheel and try to move it parallel with the axle, if there is even a tiny movement that would be wheel bearings.

[KY,Dave (AKA Misunderstood)]

Thanks guys, I quess I'm at the clicking and grinding stage. Will fix before going any further on it. Dave

[sandy]

As I was leaving Knoxville in '05 I could hear a growl on left leans. When I got to Orlando it was getting a bit louder. Two weeks later, I left there for home (AZ). When I got home the growl was a BIT more pronounced. (To say the least) When I removed the wheel, the bearing fell out in pieces. Nothing else was damaged. Now I have 107K on the bike and no more bearing failures. OH; I for got; I was pulling this the whole time. 425 lbs. 

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

I know the second mine started ( On the way to Britman's ride in Lenoir, NC ) I could feel it in the pegs. It was worse when going into left handers .Bike had around 50,000 when this happened.Made the 300 plus miles weekend and replaced when I got home.

[Ricky-D]

Easiest way is to take off the wheel and feel the bearings. Turn the race with your finger. They should be absolutely smooth.

You ought to check the u-joint also. It can cause the same kind of noises.

***

[PAVALKER]

click click click,   grind grind grind,  screetch grind clunk clunk screetch  and the bearings just fall out when you pull the wheel off.  Not good.




do I win?

[KY,Dave (AKA Misunderstood)]

Thanks, you're all winners.  I lose 

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

click click click,   grind grind grind,  screetch grind clunk clunk screetch  and the bearings just fall out when you pull the wheel off.  Not good.




do I win?

Mine was still together and looked great but you could feel the bad spot when turning with finger after the wheel was off.

[PAVALKER]

Thanks, you're all winners.  I lose 

Nope you are the real winner too..... you identified it before it left you stranded.  Get that rear wheel off and get r done.

[KY,Dave (AKA Misunderstood)]

Wheel is off. I had to make a wood adapter for the jack first. Right side seems to go round one direction fine, won't turn the opposite way. Left side (rotor) goes around but feels rough as it goes round. My dad a retired master tech from Ford is gonna be over this afternoon to advise me. Thanks again all for the help. I'll keep posted of my progress. I've never really turn many wrenches, but am very motivated to learn all I can about this beast as I love her too much to trust anyone else to work on her.

[PAVALKER]

    Good Luck.     If you do a search, you might find some write up info on replacing wheel bearings.  Not too difficult .

While it's down and you have the shocks pulled off, check the shock bushings for wear... I believe the Honda VTX 1800F model has new and improved bushings that will fit and wear better and are relatively cheap.  Look it up on the parts fische for the actual dimensions.  Also  remember the rear wheel/axle will not turn with the swingarm hanging down so low and use Moly paste on the splines while it is all down and out.

I believe this bushing will fit  ....BUSH, RUBBER (UPPER)
52489-HN0-671    002    $2.50

[KY,Dave (AKA Misunderstood)]

  Good Luck.     If you do a search, you might find some write up info on replacing wheel bearings.  Not too difficult .

While it's down and you have the shocks pulled off, check the shock bushings for wear... I believe the Honda VTX 1800F model has new and improved bushings that will fit and wear better and are relatively cheap.  Look it up on the parts fische for the actual dimensions.  Also  remember the rear wheel/axle will not turn with the swingarm hanging down so low and use Moly paste on the splines while it is all down and out.

I believe this bushing will fit  ....BUSH, RUBBER (UPPER)
52489-HN0-671    002    $2.50

Yeah, I was planning on doing it all while it's apart and since I have no history on maintenance. As I do things myself, I'll know what's been done and when. Thanks, Dave

[sandy]

  Good Luck.     If you do a search, you might find some write up info on replacing wheel bearings.  Not too difficult .

While it's down and you have the shocks pulled off, check the shock bushings for wear... I believe the Honda VTX 1800F model has new and improved bushings that will fit and wear better and are relatively cheap.  Look it up on the parts fische for the actual dimensions.  Also  remember the rear wheel/axle will not turn with the swingarm hanging down so low and use Moly paste on the splines while it is all down and out.

I believe this bushing will fit  ....BUSH, RUBBER (UPPER)
52489-HN0-671    002    $2.50

NOT Moly Paste: It's not waterproof and washes away. Honda assumed that tires last 8-10K and regreasings would happen at that interval. Better tires last longer and you need better grease. Bel Ray waterproof grease has kept my splines perfect for 107K. No wear at all. The drive shaft gets a 3% moly grease (not paste).

[NiteRiderF6]

If you are that far along, go ahead and knock those old bearings out and put some fresh ones in there, it's much better to be safe than sorry! Good Luck!

[PAVALKER]

  Good Luck.     If you do a search, you might find some write up info on replacing wheel bearings.  Not too difficult .

While it's down and you have the shocks pulled off, check the shock bushings for wear... I believe the Honda VTX 1800F model has new and improved bushings that will fit and wear better and are relatively cheap.  Look it up on the parts fische for the actual dimensions.  Also  remember the rear wheel/axle will not turn with the swingarm hanging down so low and use Moly paste on the splines while it is all down and out.

I believe this bushing will fit  ....BUSH, RUBBER (UPPER)
52489-HN0-671    002    $2.50

NOT Moly Paste: It's not waterproof and washes away. Honda assumed that tires last 8-10K and regreasings would happen at that interval. Better tires last longer and you need better grease. Bel Ray waterproof grease has kept my splines perfect for 107K. No wear at all. The drive shaft gets a 3% moly grease (not paste).

Well, it isn't a submarine and should NOT have water in there anyhow.  Moly paste has more moly (lubricant) for the splines.  Grease will wash with water as well.  That Moly grease does not have enough of the moly lubricant and is called for in the Honda manual.  Others on the VTX board have attempted to use Moly Grease but with not as much success as Moly Paste.  Everyone has their own preference.....

Read some more about Moly Paste vs Moly Grease here.... http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php?topic=2871.0   

and make up your own mind.

[KY,Dave (AKA Misunderstood)]

Well I'll decide what paste/grease to use when I get all the parts rounded up. After closer inspection it seems the previous owner loved polishing his bike to make it look pretty, but didn't care much for maintenance. I'm needing to replace alot of stuff that don't look good to me.

[KY,Dave (AKA Misunderstood)]

Thanks, you're all winners.  I lose 

Nope you are the real winner too..... you identified it before it left you stranded.  Get that rear wheel off and get r done.

True, glad it didn't go in Acadia National Park, Maine

[Skinhead]

Well I'll decide what paste/grease to use when I get all the parts rounded up. After closer inspection it seems the previous owner loved polishing his bike to make it look pretty, but didn't care much for maintenance. I'm needing to replace alot of stuff that don't look good to me.

Looks like some rear dampers might be in order if that is rubber dust caked on the wheel.

[PAVALKER]

WOW..... you are in need of some parts and some Moly paste   .....