We’re performing Deco-mainte on a vehicle—it’s a GSF again, but…
We remove the front and rear wheels, check the axle shafts, clean them, and reassemble them.
I’d like you to check the wheel bearings too. ♪
Often people just stick a finger in and spin it “round and round.” If it moves smoothly, they say GOOD! But I don’t think that’s right.
Grinding = poor lubrication with signs of seizing and lots of rust, so movement is stiff.
It’s quite common for bearings to spin smoothly but have play in them.
I believe bearings are at their best when they first settle in, and then they just keep degrading from there.
Point at the shaft and check for play.
Both bearing play and shaft-to-bearing play.
If there’s no problem, assemble it, spin it with light tightening, and then keep spinning it as is.
Then tighten it.
If it gets heavy when you tighten it, there’s a problem.
Distance collar length, bearing over-pressing, bearing defects, and so on.
In this case, it was the wheel bearing.
The rear apparently has never been replaced…
I went ahead and replaced the front too. It’s easier to manage when you replace both front and rear at the same time.
This vehicle is on hold waiting for parts.
Yum yum
