Front wheel bearing

[chefman84]

Help! Recently lost my speedometer. Upon taking the front tire off to replace the unit, I discovered the wheel bearing on the other side has fallen apart. The inner ring and all the ball bearings fell out leaving the outer ring still in the wheel. My question is how the h#$$ do I get that ring out! I have the new bearing on the way should be here tomorrow, and would really like to get it all back together for the weekend! Also ordered a new one for the other side as well, but can't figure out how to even get to that one! Can anybody help me out!!

[gearheadfla]

Never changed them before but I hear they are a bear to change, one tip I can give you is to put your new bearings in the freezer now, let them stay in there for a day or so, then take them out and go right to the wheel with them, that should make them easier to press into the wheel.

[Furchin]

Get a blind bore bearing puller, apply a small amount of heat and you can yank them right out. Some Auto Zones or Advanced Auto parts retailers have tools that they lend out so it you don't own the right tool you can still do the job.

[snowbound]

When installing bearings putting them in the freezer helps but a much quicker way to cool them off is to turn a bottle of propane upside down and open it on the bearing. Keep your hands clear and no flames of course.

[chefman84]

Thanks for the replies guys. The problem with getting the bearing out was that the bearing was gone. The only thing left was the outer race....it took two painstaking hours to cut through it and get it out of the wheel. But finally did get it out, and the one on the opposite side tapped out easy. Wheel rebuilt and back on the road last night!

[Turbo4x4]

When installing bearings putting them in the freezer helps but a much quicker way to cool them off is to turn a bottle of propane upside down and open it on the bearing. Keep your hands clear and no flames of course.

DEFINITELY NOT THE THING TO TRY!!! USE THE FREEZER!

[chevyman1]

FYI The next time you have to get just the race out the easy way to do it is to run a bead of weld on the surface were the balls run about 1/3 of the way around.
the weld will pull that much the race will fall right out
For hole bearings motion pro makes a wheel bearing puller that works real well.
http://www.motionpro.com/motorcycle/partno/08-0269/

[paulezy]

I am doing my front wheel bearings 87 XII and the kit has 3 seals. One bigger and i dont see where it goes?

[triton28]

Generally the kits come with various seals to fit a myriad of makes/models. The Voyager XII only has 1 seal in the front wheel hub, on the side opposite the speedo gear drive. Of course there is 1 more seal on the wheel/speedo drive gear assembly and that is on the speedo drive gear housing and as such is not really a seal for the wheel hub.
Any online parts supplier diagrams will show you the positioning of the seals I mention as well as the seal size, which is part of the description for the part number.
Dave

[paulezy]

Thanks Triton28, I figured as much. Just wanted to make sure I wasnt crazy. Hup Ho

[paulezy]

Triton28, I have a quick question about heat build up in the left front fork. Maybe you can help. Just did the bearings and went for a 10 mile ride. Now just the left side bottom of the fork around the speedo cable is hot to touch. Any logical reason for it?

[triton28]

I haven't run across this but I would think that it shouldn't be any more than slightly elevated in temperature from the RH side, if at all. I say slightly due to the possible drag from the speedo gear drive. The torque for the front axle nut is 65 ft/lbs so that might account for it if the torque value was exceeded by a large amount but that is a guess on my part. Did you check and/or regrease the speedo drive gears? Are the tangs on the speedometer "receiver" properly engaged with the recesses in the wheel hub? Are the tangs of the gear in the drive case properly aligned with the recesses of the receiver once it is mounted to the wheel hub?
When was the last time the fork oil level was checked/changed? Maybe the LH fork is low on or out of oil. Is the LH brake dragging a little more than the RH brake?
These are all just ideas as not being there it is hard to do anything other than throw out possibilities, but maybe one or more ideas may be of some assistance. Hopefully another member may have had a similar experience and will chime in with a more exact solution,
Dave

[paulezy]

Thanks for responding. I have progressive springs on the front. I slow rolled the torque up to 65ft lbs tightening a bit then rolling the tire at least 10 times. The speedo gear got a good cleaning and re-greased with a new seal. Im gonna run it again tonight and hope it is just the bearings seating or something. It isnt smoking hot just hotter than the right side.
regards
Paul

[paulezy]

The heat issue is Much better today. Must have been just getting aligned just right. Thanks again for your ideas.
best regards
Paul