2008 noise???

[Greg336]

Hello,

I just bought a 2008 3 weeks ago and I'm hearing a noise that sounds like its on the left side in the general area just in front of the tire and maybe a little bit inboard of the outside. I only hear it when I'm under power and it goes away when coasting. Only being a little bit mechanically inclined, enough to get myself in trouble. If I didn't know better I would almost guess a bearing but I'm just not sure. Is anyone else hearing a similar noise and if yes do you know what it is? Maybe its just a normal noise and I just don't know it?

Thanks for any help,

Greg

[Gorilla]

Greg more than likely it is a bearing. Each side has 2. One for the caliper plate to ride on and a wheel bearing. The plate bearing is a press in one that is a little harder to change. The wheel bearings are like any other and they need to be re-packed at I use 30 k intervals. Also the rods that hold the calipers in place can rattle but that is just noise normally not an issue. They can break but it is not common.

[Greg336]

Greg more than likely it is a bearing. Each side has 2. One for the caliper plate to ride on and a wheel bearing. The plate bearing is a press in one that is a little harder to change. The wheel bearings are like any other and they need to be re-packed at I use 30 k intervals. Also the rods that hold the calipers in place can rattle but that is just noise normally not an issue. They can break but it is not common.

As I stated I just bought this 2008 and I have no idea as to how well it has been maintained. The former owner says he has a really good mechanic and supposedly went through it just before it was put on the marked but I have other little things that are leading me to believe that even though his mechanic had been one for over 20 years he isn't very good. Also it has just under 13k on it, should I still consider bearings?

Thanks,

Greg

[trikervet]

Gregg, from your writeup above it sounded like you were talking about the noise in the area of the left tire. The rear wheels only have the one axle bearing on each side which is pressed on per vintage 2007 Ford Ranger pick 'em up truck. I have never heard of an issue with one and I've had mine for almost ten years, 66K.

[tomg]

Greg more than likely it is a bearing. Each side has 2. One for the caliper plate to ride on and a wheel bearing. The plate bearing is a press in one that is a little harder to change. The wheel bearings are like any other and they need to be re-packed at I use 30 k intervals. Also the rods that hold the calipers in place can rattle but that is just noise normally not an issue. They can break but it is not common.

Actually there are 2 caliper bearings on each side, 1 inner and the other outer plus the axle bearing . The outer bearings are the first to go and the easiest to spot. They will be exposed when the plastic seal breaks down. It's best to replace all 4 if that is the problem as taking everything apart is the hardest part. Search the sight as I believe that I listed the part numbers and where I bought them a couple of years ago. Tomg

[Gorilla]

Actually there are 2 caliper bearings on each side, 1 inner and the other outer plus the axle bearing . The outer bearings are the first to go and the easiest to spot. They will be exposed when the plastic seal breaks down. It's best to replace all 4 if that is the problem as taking everything apart is the hardest part. Search the sight as I believe that I listed the part numbers and where I bought them a couple of years ago. Tomg

Thanks Tom I forgot that the caliper plate had 2 bearings. I will refresh myself shortly I have to rebuild the entire front as part of my 100k service. Replacing all the bearings.

[tomg]

Thanks Tom I forgot that the caliper plate had 2 bearings. I will refresh myself shortly I have to rebuild the entire front as part of my 100k service. Replacing all the bearings.

Ted, at the end of the swingarm (bottom of the fork tube) there is also a 2" double row bearing and it is a bear to get out unless you remove the fork tubes and press them out. Tom

[Gorilla]

Thanks Tom. I will be looking at those. How did you get them out? Remove the tubes?

[trikervet]

I recently rebuilt my forks and I used an oversize socket and heavy washer to press out the old fork bearing. Both sides came out without a problem. A few years ago I had one of these bearings fail and all that was left was the outer race. I ground it thin with a diamond burr and knocked it out.

[tomg]

Thanks Tom. I will be looking at those. How did you get them out? Remove the tubes?

No, I beat them out in place ! Only took 2 days! Should have removed the tubes and did the triple tree bearings but didn't. The 2" bearings come out from the outside which doesn't allow you much room to use a punch between the tubes, then you have to drive the new one in from the outside. Much easier to use a press even if you need to take it to someone.

[tomg]

part number, bearings removed and outer park of bearing that had to be beat out! Only have a small slot from the inside to be able to drive it out. You have almost the complete outside race of the bearing to press out if you remove the tubes. Hope this helps. I'll dig up the part numbers for the 4 caliper bearings if you don't find them already posted. Tom

[trikervet]

When mine failed in 2012, it made for a lot of slop in the swing arm which made braking real scary. It would dart to the left with the slightest brake application. When I disassembled it, there was no sign of any of the balls.

[Gorilla]

thanks for the posts