Wheel bearings toast with just 36000 miles on the Tri, All fixed under warranty, I hope the new set lasts longer.
Wheel bearings toast with just 36000 miles on the Tri, All fixed under warranty, I hope the new set lasts longer.
2019 Red and Silver Tri Glide
Was it the front wheel bearings?
Once they went to the sealed bearings they don't seem to last as long as the cone bearings from the earlier models.
While I do not own this Trike I am watching this post with great interest because my wife and I are considering looking at them.
Another reason I am drawn to this post is back in the 60’s my uncle used to buy old Chicago Police Trikes and he also had the front wheel bearings fail while he was riding on the expressway. It has made me pay more attention to front bearing issues. Granted progress has been made but it still raises a red flag for me.
Jason
IMO the trouble started with Chinese vendors
What ever happened to USA made bearings
I have had NEW bearings fail @ an alarming rate
Most all were import brands
I get the global economy and the bean counters@HD trying to cut costs
Nuff Said," Were Burnin Daylight, Lets Ride"(Sober 37 years)
Current ride : 2021 FREEWHEELER M8, oldest ride 1960 FL
With the limited info the OP has given, Why all the speculation? Its the Chinese , Its the seald bearings, Its the bean counters, Maybe i won't buy a Tri. I think its the Russians causing the bearing to go bad...
Sometimes a Cigar is Just a Cigar.....
2019 Tri-Glide.......
I pop the plastic so called seal off one end , and repack them with nice sticky waterproof grease every front tire change. Never use a powerwasher to blast the front wheel at the front spindle. its not a waterproof bearing.
2012 Triglide Piaggio MP3 500 to get groceries 1991 FLHS as back up
"Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it !"
Tiffany, Olive, Daisy, “The Three Musketeers” together again.
Bob, you are right in most of this post
How ever, most all bearings are now in fact made in China
Not sayin this is a real bad move
I just like USA made bearings, having worked in and around this industry most of my adult life
I have seen a down turn in quality control
Take a look next time at bearings and seals
I have never liked a sealed bearing, the cheap dust shield IMO does NOT protect the bearing
I bet it says on the package made in so and so packaged in USA
Nuff Said," Were Burnin Daylight, Lets Ride"(Sober 37 years)
Current ride : 2021 FREEWHEELER M8, oldest ride 1960 FL
This is a must read IMO
The thin shield will not hold out much water
If you look close at that bearing, it is VERY similar (constructed and the dust shield) to a GM alternator bearing
When I was rebuilding alternators with my dad we had a local source for those USA made bearings
As the reman market dwindled due to cheaper costs in on stock remans we could no longer get the bearings
Again, the over seas bearings, seals and other parts are just to darn cheapo
American manufacturers cannot compete
Even ALL Balls can no longer say they are USA made any more Just My 02 cents here
Nuff Said," Were Burnin Daylight, Lets Ride"(Sober 37 years)
Current ride : 2021 FREEWHEELER M8, oldest ride 1960 FL
Unfortunately for the consumer, manufacturers in general always go to the lowest cost provider for components they use. There are are exceptions, however they are few & far between. Stock prices & company profits are #1 concerns for most companies/corporations, while quality comes in a distant second.
This is fact, and unless something changes here to lower costs of sourced parts as well as labor, energy, property taxes, etc., etc., the foreigners will continue to "eat our lunch" while most times providing poor quality goods.
On projects that I have final quality control over, I'm all about using American made parts vs off shore. Sadly at times, there is no longer an American company making the specific part needed...
Isn't it weird that in AMERICA, our flag and our culture offend so many people...but our benefits don't???
If you take the old bearings to a jobber - a parts dealer that serves auto repair shops - you will find the same generic bearing for a fraction of the cost. Generic front wheel bearings for my 1990 FLHTC used to cost about $5 a decade ago. That was so cheap that I changed them whenever I changed a front tire and kept a set in the garage just in case. As others noted, Chink bearings are not as good but you might find US made. Good luck.
Geeze .......... They rode those things year round. What with all the slush after the city would salt the streets I'm not surprised. The H-D Servi-Car : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harley-Davidson_Servi-Car
2021 Mustang GT Premium A10 Handling Pkg
Red White and BBQ Texas, it's whole whole nother country .........
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
Oh yeah. I and a buddy cut school to plow driveways.
2021 Mustang GT Premium A10 Handling Pkg
Red White and BBQ Texas, it's whole whole nother country .........
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
I had 3600 miles on the Tri not 36000. I never use a power washer and have only had water on the Tri 3 times. I heard the bearing going south on my way home even with the radio on , Could feel it in the bars also and floorboards. Just made it to the dealers in time about a 10 mile ride from the time I heard and felt it. Dealer was very good at getting it back to me on Christmas week end had it back wed after Christmas.
2019 Red and Silver Tri Glide
Now that's even worse.
2021 Mustang GT Premium A10 Handling Pkg
Red White and BBQ Texas, it's whole whole nother country .........
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
Good to hear they took care of your quickly.
3600 miles...wow. Seems obvious it was out of spec from the get go, just took a few miles for it to grenade.
Fortunately, that does not happen that frequently.
Since HD went to non-serviceable bearings I check them every tire change. In several hundred thousand miles of riding with these new bearings I've only ever felt the need to replace one pair.
I personally don't miss having to repack the bearings every tire change.
Kevin
A while back I stopped at a local auto parts dealer and asked if they stocked Timken bearings. Pulled a set that would fit the front wheel right off the shelf. "Made in China".
I asked if he knew of any US made bearings. With a laugh, he told me no. He also suggested packing the bearings after popping out the dust shield before they even installed.