Wheel bearings

[tom3fan4ever]

Is is possible to replace the Timken bearings and seals on my '99' FLHT with sealed bearings. If so, what is involved in doing this?

 

[Hoople]

Is is possible to replace the Timken bearings and seals on my '99' FLHT with sealed bearings. If so, what is involved in doing this?

In my opinion that would be a big mistake to make. I have sealed bearings and wished I could go the opposite way. The sealed bearings of today was a way to cut costs and is an inferior method compared to the taper roller.

 

[doctordoug]

In my opinion that would be a big mistake to make. I have sealed bearings and wished I could go the opposite way. The sealed bearings of today was a way to cut costs and is an inferior method compared to the taper roller.

Agree 110%. Cars have Timken bearings and they last forever. My old BMW has Timken's and they are still the original at 135,000 miles. I can't think of one advantage ball bearings have over Timken's for wheel bearing application. They do need preload to function properly but they are superior.

 

[Jack Klarich]

Yes and no, it can be done if you can figure out the correct spacing, there are bearings out there that will work but it is a roll of the dice IMo, The tapered bearings are a better set up, The MOCO uses them now because it is cheaper and faster Not necessarily better

 

[AliveAgain]

If you need wheel bearings, maybe you could look into ceramic bearings.

 

[fin_676]

Stay with the tapered bearings they are a far better solution for a motorcycle than the sealed bearings once properly set up repack with grease every 10000 miles
The grease protects the bearings from the ingress of dirt and water

Brian