Triumphrat

Beemie · 11-08-2009, 10:54 PM

Anyone have a wheel bearing go bad?
Seem to have a grumbling that I'm trying to isolate but it doesn't seem tobe right at the wheel. Wondering if those noises travel through the frame and drivetrain.

ssevy · 11-09-2009, 10:10 PM

My bike doesn't have enough miles on it yet to need wheel bearings, so I am not sure what the symptoms would be. Are you sure your chain doesn't have a tight spot, which can create a cyclical vibration, almost a shudder feeling? This is especially noticeable if the chain is too tight.
Sorry if I am telling you something you probably already know, but maybe this info will help someone else searching in the future for your symptoms.

Beemie · 11-09-2009, 11:32 PM

Thanks ssevy, but it has a new chain, wear block, sprockets.
I thought that solved it but it's back, and very soon.
Chain slack and alignment have been checked, over and over.
Was hoping for wheel bearing rather than a tranny bearing, but the noise is more toward the center, from what little I can tell whizzing down the road.

buckoz · 11-10-2009, 04:42 AM

got 130 thousand km on mine repacked the original ( i think ) wheel bearings at 100 the were still good havnt had it since new so not sure if they had been done before
a new chain will take a bit to settle i would put some more lube on it a couple of times before ripping things apart

GeoffE · 11-10-2009, 02:07 PM

Hi,

I don't know if it helps, but I had a front wheel bearing wear badly on my Thunderbird. It got picked up at around 21k miles, and I had both front bearings & seals replaced at 22k.

My commute at the time involved travelling over alot of speed humps ("sleeping policemen"), and although I did not think I sped over them particularly, I put the wear down to this consistant jarring.

I don't remember any distinct noise though. (However, I have heard other riders comment about this with their bearing failures, and some with the noise being transmitted back through the frame).

Geoff

Beemie · 11-10-2009, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeoffE

Hi,

I don't know if it helps, but I had a front wheel bearing wear badly on my Thunderbird. It got picked up at around 21k miles, and I had both front bearings & seals replaced at 22k.

My commute at the time involved travelling over alot of speed humps ("sleeping policemen"), and although I did not think I sped over them particularly, I put the wear down to this consistant jarring.

I don't remember any distinct noise though. (However, I have heard other riders comment about this with their bearing failures, and some with the noise being transmitted back through the frame).

Geoff

Thanks Geoff.
A winter project.....

cafetbird · 11-10-2009, 02:25 PM

These are standard bearings, so don't get duped into paying dealer prices! You could go to most any industrial supply house and get good quality replacements. Just stay away from ones made in China....

Beemie · 11-10-2009, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cafetbird

These are standard bearings, so don't get duped into paying dealer prices! You could go to most any industrial supply house and get good quality replacements. Just stay away from ones made in China....

I was hoping for that because Triumph is looking for $40 a piece.

We're in the bearing center of the Northeast, so there should be not problem finding locally made replacements.

Slinky · 11-10-2009, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeoffE

Hi,
I had a front wheel bearing wear badly on my Thunderbird. It got picked up at around 21k miles

Same here! You may not hear it, but you would definitely feel it if a front wheel bearing had play in it.

Beemie · 11-10-2009, 03:03 PM

I can't say that I feel anything, but there was a clicking in a rear one that I let go because I couldn't invoke any unexpected motions.