Flange Bearings re-visited

[AzDesertRider]

Picked up my wheel at the dealer after the 4th set of drive flange bearings were installed today. I say. “The bearings feel tight & a little notchy again.” The “mechanic” (kid) say’s to me, “the bearings were smooth until I put the collar in.” I say, “then you put the assembly together wrong again!” Then the service manager comes over & say’s, get this. “You are going through too many bearings, there must be something wrong with the bike. Why do you just keep bringing in the wheel?” I say, “the bearings you installed suck before I put the wheel back on the bike, every time!” He say’s, “Well we will need the whole bike to fix this problem.” I say, “Fat Chance” to my self as I pick up my $hit & leave. Guess I’m a slow learner. I think they are using too much force & causing damage to the bearings with a press. So, I’m ordering new bearings & collar, will gently install them my self after WeSTOC & hope to live happily ever after…

[AzDesertRider]

Yes, Failed. Ball cages fell apart bearings falling out. Already have the 20mm 25mm remover tool & the driver is on order. Not sure how the dealer installed them, but am quite sure it was wrong. I read the manual & it say's to mount the collar first... Looking forward to doing my own install.

[BigTom]

Jeeze, Bob.

You can always bring your bike to Tom and Ray's custom bearing install house. We have at least 10 different size hammers, and multiple install tools. Often better known as punches, screwdrivers and drifts.
:bsflag:

Really: I hate when crap like that happens. Just hate it. Properly installed and lubed bearings should go 50,000 mi. Easy. Really should do double that. Do it yourself, know it's done right. The service manual is pretty darn straight forward, you'll have no problems.... Missed you at dinner last night.

[nm6r]

I'm not sure what the problem is with these rear wheel bearings. I had a set replaced at 33k miles. They felt a little rough to me before then but the SM said they were ok. :rolleyes:

We were mounting up a new set of tires on STPilot's '04 and found at least one bearing to be really notchy at 29k miles. 6500 miles earlier it was smooooth.

It has been suspected the bearings aren't coming greased well enough from the manufacturer. I have no idea if this is actually the case or not. At least one person has blamed the rear wheel rubbers but I don't buy that notion at such low mileage especially when I personally checked mine and found them to be just fine. This is a habitual problem on the ST1300 and really needs to be resolved.

Ray
http://www.frontiernet.net/~st1300rider/smile04Bikerwheelie.gif

[dannyk]

And to add some more probably usless thoughts,the OEM bearings have one seal, some aftermarket bearings have 2 seals I don't know if they will last any longer or not, but, they are at least sealed at both ends to keep grease in and dirt out. MY worthless $.02 worth.