Signs Of Failing Motorcycle Wheel Bearing

A motorcycle front wheel bearing failure symptoms is essential to take note of due to the havoc it can do to other parts of your drive train. This blog post traverses deep into the symptoms of motorcycle wheel bearing failure.

Symptoms Of Damaged Motorcycle Wheel Bearing 

As a rider, always have it in mind to check your wheel bearings during every maintenance check. However, here are some signs that indicate your wheel bearings are damaged:

Harsh Vibrations

As you know motorcycle bearings are crucial to the smooth operation of your motorcycle. Therefore, the handlebars will vibrate a lot when it is damaged due to the inappropriate rotation of the front wheel. Nevertheless, it’s important to know that sometimes the handlebar’s vibrations are not due to faulty motorcycle wheel bearings. They can sometimes be faulty spokes, inaccurate wheel alignment, or deflated tires. If you notice unusual movement in the handlebars be sure to check your motorcycle immediately.

Rear Wheel Seems Flat

Another sign that your rear wheel bearing might be damaged is when your rear tire seems deflated or you have a loose axle nut. Sometimes when you notice that your tire wobbles even when you have an inflated tire and your axle nut lock is intact might be a sign that your wheel bearings are worn.

Difficulty handling The bike

With a faulty wheel bearing it’ll be difficult for you to properly steer your bike. For you to be sure, ride your motorcycle at moderate speed then leave the handlebars for some seconds and see if your motorcycle moves to one side. Your motorcyclist’s front end will wander from side to side at the wheel hub and axle if it’s damaged.

Brake Disc Heat Up Quickly

You’ll always notice that there’s friction in the brake disc and will make them heat up faster even when you ride for just a few miles.

Unusual Sounds

Anytime you are riding your vehicle and you hear a humming sound, this can be a result of your damaged wheel bearing causing increased friction. Nevertheless, this does not guarantee that your motorcycle wheel bearings are damaged because sometimes, these sounds may be difficult to differentiate from other sounds on the road.

Causes Of Damaged Motorcycle Wheel Bearing

There are a lot of factors that easily make wheel bearings wear out prematurely aside from dirt, moisture, and off-roading. Here are they:

Incorrect installation

A lot of mechanics install bearings incorrectly after inspection because they are not experienced. When your motorcycle wheel bearing is incorrectly installed it might suffer internal damage. Also, remember to fill seals with no seal with grease to prevent damage. When you fail to lubricate the bearings with grease before you install it can lead to reduced longevity.

Low-Quality Bearings

It’s important to know that buying second-hand motorcycles does not come with quality bearings most times. This is because the owner might have replaced the original bearing with low-quality bearings to resell and make enough profit. The bearings might not last long,  may not be resistant to heat, and might lack a rubber seal.

Aggressive Riding Style

Using your vehicle to race or riding aggressively is one fast way to make your wheel bearings wear out easily. Normally, wheel bearing premature failure usually occurs based on heavy impacts on the wheel bearing.

Generally, liquid-cooled motorcycles are superior to air-cooled models. The reason is liquid coolant transfers and absorbs heat compared to Air-coolant. For this reason, liquid-cooled motorcycles are a good fit for high-performance riding in extreme conditions.

Outcome Of Motorcycle Wheel bearing Failure

• Loss Of Control: When your wheel bearing fails, you’ll notice wobble or excessive vibration in the wheel which will then result in instability of your motorcycle. This is very dangerous when you are accelerating at high speed or when you are turning.
• Increased Wear On Other Components: The failure of a wheel bearing can put an extra burden on other parts like the tires and suspension system of your motorcycle. When this happens, the wear rate will increase and there’ll be a failure in these particular parts.
• Wheel Lock Up: Most often, there’ll be a complete wheel lock up when there’s a failure in your motorcycle wheel bearing, which will result in a skid or crash of your motorcycle. This can seriously injure you and damage your motorcycle because it’s a serious safety hazard.
• Increased Friction: Wheel assembly friction will increase, thus making your motorcycle roll unsmoothly, affecting overall performance, and reducing fuel efficiency.
• Wheel Play: Realizing wobbling or excessive play in the wheel anytime you try to move it from side to side can also be a result of damaged bearings. When wheel play happens, your motorcycle will feel unstable and less responsive.
• Uneven Tire Wear: Wobbling or tilt is usually caused by damaged wheel bearings, which will then result in uneven tire wear. This occurrence will make your motorcycle more difficult to control because there’ll be a reduction in the grip and handling of your motorcycle especially when you are driving in a slippery or wet condition.
• Strange Noises: Grinding or rumbling noise is an early sign that your motorcycle wheel bearing is damaged. If you do not take these noises seriously, they can also damage other parts and potentially cause catastrophic failure of your motorcycle wheel bearings.

FAQs

Is It Safe To Drive A Motorcycle With A Damaged Wheel Bearing?

No, it’s not safe. When you ride a motorcycle with a damaged wheel bearing there can be a “lock up” in your wheels which can result in a serious accident. It’s advisable to call on-road assistance or help from pedestrians when you are driving on the highway.

How Long Does Motorcycle Wheel Bearing Last?

Normally, wheel bearings’ lifespan ranges from 136,000 to 160,000 km (approximately 85,000 to 100,000 miles). Although, this is just a rough estimate. This actual lifespan of a wheel bearing is usually determined by the operation conditions and the quality.

How Much Does It Cost To Replace A Damaged Motorcycle Wheel Bearing?

Typically, motorcycle wheel bearings cost between $15 to $30. The overall amount is usually determined by the mechanic that wants to replace it for you.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the signs of a failing motorcycle wheel bearing is not always hidden. Checking out the signs outlined in this article will help you easily detect if your motorcycle wheel bearings are failing.