Published In The September 2014 Issue Of Cycle Source
Article By: Pandemonium Custom Choppers
Tapered Wheel Bearings rarely get serviced when necessary or properly. I suggest servicing them with a tire change or every two years, whichever comes first. With tapered wheel bearings there are two bearings, two bearing races and an inner bearing spacer tube that sets the wheel bearing end play. What is “Wheel Bearing End Play” you ask? Bearing end play sets proper bearing tension to the bearing race surfaces, and needs to be measured with a dial indicator with mag base. This is very important for proper bearing life.
To get things started we need to remove the wheel bearing seals with a seal removal tool. Now remove the wheel bearings and inner spacer tube.
This is a wheel bearing race removal and driver tool. The two half-moon dies are inserted into the race. Then the race driver is installed to them. With a few hard hits using a hammer the race will be removed.
Pictured here is a wheel bearing and race that was NOT serviced AT ALL… Lack of grease and proper bearing end play lead to failure here.
All Balls Racing is a great source for your wheel bearing and seal kits.
Shown here is a wheel bearing race installed on a driver.
Lightly oil outside of wheel bearing race before installation, this will help reduce galling. The removal tool is also the same tool for installation of your race. Make sure the tool is square to the wheel and lightly tap in your new race.
I always check to be sure the bearing races are seated into the wheel with a drift punch just to be sure.
Pictured here are wheel bearing spacer shims used to attain proper end play.
Make sure that the first bearing spacer that makes contact with the bearing is stepped and that it faces the bearing.
With new “Dry” “Ungreased” bearings installed insert the axle and some additional wheel spacers laying around the shop and torque the axle to factory spec. I usually do 60 Foot Pounds. Set up a dial indicator touching one end of the axle rotate the axle a few revolutions. Then push on the axle and make note of our dial indicator reading and then pull on the axle and make notation of the dial indicator reading. I set bearing end play at .003 to .006 thousandths.
Once bearing end play is set to spec remove your bearings and grease them. I pack all my bearings by hand.
I also hand pack the inside of my wheel bearing seals. Every little bit of grease here counts.
I use a large socket to install my wheel bearing seals. They install very easily so don’t overdo it with a hammer here.
Don’t forget to grease up your wheel spacers also.
So there you have it “All” greased up and ready to roll….. This is just a quick over view of how I set up wheel bearings in the Pandemonium Shop. If you don’t have the tools to be able to do it in your shop. Any “Good” Motorcycle shop will be able to do them for you. This procedure is normally flat rate at 1 hour. So next time you are getting your tire changed on your bike at the local motorbike bike shop tell them to grease and check your wheel bearings. Bad or improperly installed wheel bearings can cause serious damage or even cause you to wreck, even worse kill you. Remember you are only on 2 wheels….So be sure to have your wheels and bearings checked regularly. Preventative maintenance is priceless and may save your ride and your life. If you have any questions please email me or call the shop 419-576- 6812 info@pandemoniumc2.com pandemoniucustomchoppers.com
