WHEEL BEARING END PLAY
If you own a Harley Davidson that has wheels with conventional wheel bearings, it is important to know how to check, set, or correct wheel bearing end play. Harley Davidson changed over to sealed, non-servicable wheel bearings around the year 2000. Prior to that, all wheels had conventional bearings that needed to be inspected, cleaned, and serviced at regular intervals.
Correct end play is not only important for proper wheel function but it is also important for safety. If wheel end play is too excessive, the motorcycle may not handle correctly. In extreme cases, a rider might even experience wobble. If end play is set up too tight, the wheel bearings will become damaged upon axle tightening. Complete bearing failure might be experienced while in use creating a very dangerous situation. Wheel end play should be checked any time that a wheel is pulled for tire replacement, bearing and race replacement, or when performing a major service. End play needs to be checked with the wheel removed from the motorcycle.
In The Shop, we have a section of angled steel welded onto the end of a 3/4″ axle (1). This set up is helpful but not necessary. The stock front or rear axle from your motorcycle or a truing stand can also be used.
Removal of wheel seals is necessary. Also, bearings, the center spacer, and any wheel shims need to be thoroughly cleaned (2).
* Note: Not all wheels have shims. If you remove bearings and do not find any shims, that does not mean that the wheel was set up incorrectly. The end play may be set perfectly with a perfectly sized center spacer.*
The way we like to check end play is with our axle locked in a vise (3).
We slide one spacer, one bearing and the center spacer onto the axle (4).
Next, we slide the wheel onto the axle, followed by any shims (5).
* Anytime shims are used, a “top hat” spacer is needed. The step on this spacer MUST go against the bearings inner race.* Lastly, the 2nd bearing is installed as well as any spacers and the axle nut. The axle nut is torqued to the motorcycle’s correct torque spec (6&7).
A dial indicator is used to measure end play. End play should typically be between .002″ to .006″ (Refer to the correct service manual for the motorcycle.)
If the wheel does not spin freely, shims need to be added or a longer center spacer can be machined. If end play is excessive, shimming or the center spacer will need to be reduced. Shims are sold in a variety of sizes. They can be .050″ or as thin as .0015″, and all sizes in-between.
Related Videos
Harley-Davidson Wheel Bearing ReplacementRelated Videos:
You can also check out this video demonstrating this task using professional tools.FRONT WHEEL
Harley-Davidson® Front Forks Service
Replacing the Front Caliper Pad on a Motorcycle – Brembo
Harley Brake Rotor Installation
Harley Front Wheel Removal & Replacement
Sealed Harley Wheel Bearings Replacement
REAR WHEEL
Harley-Davidson® Rear Tire Replacement
Harley Sportster Rear Tire Removal & Replacement
Harley Rear Axle, Belt Adjustment & Tire Inspection
Motorcycle Rear Shock Adj, Wheel Removal
Softail Harley Belt Replacement – Removal Part 3 of 3
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Harley-Davidson® Belt Removal on a Touring Model
Harley Rear Tire, Drive Pulley and Inner Race Removal
WHEEL LACING
CHECKING AND TRUING WHEELS
SEALED WHEEL BEARINGS
Sealed Harley Wheel Bearings Replacement
Harley-Davidson® Wheel Bearings Replacement
How to Pack Wheel Bearings on a Motorcycle
TIRES
Motorcycle Tire Maintenance Tips
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