Front wheel bearings

[1675]

    I have just had a new pair of tyres fitted to my Trophy and saw a lot of grit under the oil seals and next to the front wheel bearings when I removed the 2 alluminium wheel spacers. Although the bike has covered 50,000 miles, the front wheel has been replaced twice due to a ham fisted dealer being unable to fit new tyres without the aid of a crow bar. I reckon the current bearings have covered 30k and seemed to be a bit rough, so I decided to change them. The 2 spacers are relatively soft ally and they started life with an outside diameter of 28mm. Unfortunately Mr Crowbar didnt think to inspect them when he replaced the wheel and as a result, the seals have worn their own groove into the spacers, down to about 26mm, rendering the seal useless. (The worn area can be seen on the second picture). To offset replacement, Mr Crowbar has turned the spacers around when more new tyres were fitted, but didn' t replace the seals. As I wanted to put the bike back together that evening I made 2 new spacers out of stainless steel, together with a drift and guide to aid bearing and seal replacement. I made the part of the drift which goes through the wheel 170mm long x 19.90mm dia and it goes into a guide sleeve where the opposite bearing should be. The guide sleeve had a bore of 20.1mm and an OD of 46.90mm to be a nice sliding fit in the housing and on the drift. Once the first bearing was in, the centre spacer could be fitted, followed by the second bearing. The drift is then inserted from the opposite side and is guided by the previously installed bearing. There is a circlip to hold one bearing in (cant recall which side) then the seals can be fitted, again with the aid of the drift. I would advise others to check the spacers/seals and bearing condition next time the wheel is out as repairs are much easier to do it in your workshop than out on the road. You never know, Mr Crowbar may now be working at your dealer. He 's very good you know.
If anyone wishes to borrow the tool I have made to fit new bearings, I would only ask for a nominal, refundable paypal deposit and postage to be paid each way. Doing it yorself saves meeting Mr Crowbar.

[earthman]

Thanks for the heads up, I'll certainly check mine next time I have the wheel out.

[GarminDave]

Did you actually replace both bearings?  If so which bearing did you go for the Triumph 'Chinese' one or did you find a better bearing to use?

I ran a GTR1400 (Concours) which I used to change wheel bearings every 25,000 miles so have been wondering about investing in a good spare pair of front bearings for my TTSE.

Love, light and kindness,

Dave

[1675]

Went for 2 good quality bearings from a local specialist, which was half the price of a dealer part and has a known brand name. I will be changing the front bearing on the rear suspension linkage later this month (detailed in another post) and can get this from my local supplier for 1/4 the price of the original part. Time will tell if the Chinese are up to the quality of the Swedes, who I hope haven't got a Chinese factory!

[cropbiker]

Have you got the contact details of your specialist please??

[GarminDave]

Originally Posted by 1675

Went for 2 good quality bearings from a local specialist, which was half the price of a dealer part and has a known brand name. I will be changing the front bearing on the rear suspension linkage later this month (detailed in another post) and can get this from my local supplier for 1/4 the price of the original part. Time will tell if the Chinese are up to the quality of the Swedes, who I hope haven't got a Chinese factory!

Brilliant, I live near by so details please as to Supplier and part numbers would be really useful; I'm of to Czech Republic and would really like to have a couple of bearings with me to ensure that I don't need them!

Love, light and kindness,

Dave

[1675]

I used A1 Bearings at Eldon (01388 777584), but any bearing supplier would have them on the shelf as they are all standard parts. Bearings are 6204 2RS2 (2 rubber shields) and the seals are 28x47x7. Haven't got the bill yet, but it will be less than £10 I bet. The Triumph price is £75 plus VAT, who is kidding who here?

[RocketSteve]

I note the wear on those ally spacers and just had a quick look at mine - I notice there are 2 undercuts on the right spacer which look to be machined and standard and one undercut on the left spacer very close to the dust seal.

Are they ally for a reason and maybe a slave area to wear out