The death wobble

[softtail]

I have a 2012 Ultra Limited with 3700 miles on it and I have noticed I have a very extreme front end shake when riding on a slight wash boarded road or hit crackes in the black top. Will take to dealer to check this out. Wonder if its the neck bearings or maybe wheel bearing or a combo of both, any ideas?

[BUBBIE]

Originally Posted by softtail

I have a 2012 Ultra Limited with 3700 miles on it and I have noticed I have a very extreme front end shake when riding on a slight wash boarded road or hit crackes in the black top. Will take to dealer to check this out. Wonder if its the neck bearings or maybe wheel bearing or a combo of both, any ideas?

Loose OR Not torqued correctly front wheel bearings possible, not probable. Are they Loose to the feel?

Neck bearings might be Loose. Again Feel will tell you.

Check: Lift up and push down on the handlebars while bike is suspended. Any movement should Not be there.
If the wheel stays where put in the center while suspended and moves from side to side THEN when let loose (from side to side) comes Straight again. Should be Ok.

The 2012 bikes have OR should have the "A" suffix wheel bearings.
They are Different but HOW? Nobody will say. HD puts that "A" because of Change,,,Meaning Many things.?. New product, new manufacturer.

Bearings "A" are changed in the 2012 bikes. There have been Lot of bearings going out that I have HEARD ABOUT (hear-say on PRE 12's)..

Maybe they put GREASE in the new "A" bearings....

Let us know What you find out so .........

ALSO added? How does that front tire look and FEEL. Any abnormal wear, flat spots or Cupping?
..................BALANCE on smooth roads good?

signed....BUBBIE

[tmd11111]

The wheel bearings are sealed, you can't grease them. Also you can't check neck bearings by feel either. To check them properly you need to jack the bike up so the front wheel is a few inches off the ground and do a fall away test. To do this turn the handle bars all the way in one direction and release them then count how many times they swing back and forth before they stop. IIRC for your bike it should be 3-5 swings but don't hold me to this. It was a big problem with the 11 road glides, seemed most of them left the factory with the bearings too loose.

[RKC-Charlie]

Softail, as you stated you are taking it to the dealer. That is the correct thing to do, let them repair the problem.
The above is useful information, nice to know for future. There is no adjustment for wheel bearing, they press fit in.

[softtail]

Thanks for all the good info, its always nice to get replys on problems. I had it on the jack and felt no play in the front end or wheel. With it being under warranty it can go back until problem is fixed.

[softtail]

Just asking, I placed this under the touring section of this forum but noticed it had said moved in front of the description. Did I place this question in the wrong area or something?

[bglidin]

Check your tire pressure and rear shock pressure . I have 2010 Limited and run 25 lbs in rear shock FYI, rear tire wear has also been an issue for me but should not be a problem at 3700 miles but you might ck if it seems to be uneven or choppy. Too much weight in tour pack or uneven weight in saddle bags are also something to check . Hope this helps you . Please post after your visit to the stealer.

BGLIDIN

[BUBBIE]

When I replied, I didn't mean LOOSE like in the Old Style bearings. I have replace my 09 FLHR with the new "A" suffix bearings... So I do know the new bearings... IF loose by feel in the tire/rim by shaking side ways; that is what I meant. Yes a bad bearing can be FELT....

I takes a special tool to remove and install these wheel bearings on todays HD bikes... I would not do it the old fashioned way with a hammer and drift.

Torquing the bearing ; I mean IF totally loose at the axle nut, it may wobble...

One can never See, Feel, Hear the problems from on the computer so thehow to and what to check are GENERIC suggestions as needed.

I should have been More explicit here though.

..... I CAN Feel neck bearings that are Loose OR Bad, Just like the wheel bearings, while the parts are on the bike...

I must be special

signed....BUBBIE

[tmd11111]

Originally Posted by softtail

Thanks for all the good info, its always nice to get replys on problems. I had it on the jack and felt no play in the front end or wheel. With it being under warranty it can go back until problem is fixed.

Reread post #3 on how to check fallaway. Feeling for loosness or play in the front end is not going to tell you if the neck bearings are adjusted properly.