| Author | Message | ||
     Scottk |
I got back from a long ride today and noticed some grease coming out from under the orange bearing cover. Its coming out from all around it!!! My Uly has almost 7000 miles on it. This cant be normal!!!! | ||
| Etennuly |
Is it making unusual noises? Can you feel any side slop in the axle if you push the wheel side to side? Is the grease that came out black, rusty looking? You can pick the seals out with a safety pin to look at the bearings, they should have clean blue/green grease in them. You may have water in the wheel hub, mine did. It showed up a few weeks after a deep water crossing. Has anyone ever pressure washed the bike? That should not be done around the bearings. The bearings are relatively easy to change if you can remove the wheel and you have a heat gun. | ||
| Scottk |
The grease coming out is a blue green color. I do NOT pressure wash the bike. The bike is still under warranty, I think I will take it in and have them check it. It never did this before??? I will do a follow up when I know something. Thanks for the info Etennuly!!! | ||
| Florida_lime |
After I "repack" my bearings at tire change time, it is not unusual for grease to fling out from the seal area under use. I'd only worry if it was black or making 'bad noises'. | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
I added grease to my rear bearings just 2 days ago during a tire change. I always follow by coating the outside of the sealed bearing with anti-seize and never see any grease fling. The anti-seize dries and seals the bearing from dirt and water and apparently keeps the bearing seal from leaking grease. | ||
| Arcticktm |
Florida, I think the grease should only come out if the bearings were "over packed" with grease. If Scott's are stock, then this would not be normal. Most of us tend to put in too much grease when we do it ourselves, and it then gets pushed out when the bearing gets up to speed and temperature. IIRC, some online research of bearing manufacturers showed that only something like 25% of the air space in the bearing is supposed to be filled with grease normally. (going from weak memory, as I do not want to search the hundreds of old bearings posts to find it right now) I have also been doing the anti seize on the outside of the seal during any wheel removal. Not sure if it is helping, but it sure isn't hurting, and I am surprised how well the anti seize stays on. FWIW, my rear bearing never leaked, but I noticed they were stiff/crunchy and replaced them at about 9K miles. They were rusty inside when I removed the seals. Exposed bearing seals are not a good thing IMHO. Wish we had a wider hub or narrower bearing spacing, so I could fit a seal/shield to protect the bearings. | ||
| Jlnance |
Ulys eat rear wheel bearings. There are updated bearings for the 09 models that hopefully fix this problem. I'd take the wheel to the dealer and have the 09 bearings pressed in. They are fairly inexpensive ($20ish for the pair.) I don't know that your bearings are bad, but given they are a known problem area, it seems prudent to put the 09 bearings in before they originals fail. | ||
| Scottk |
I have never even changed a tire yet!!! The bearings are stock. I took it in today and the bearings are shot!! they do have the updated bearings with the black seal. They should be done with it tomorrow. Ill let yall know how things go.... | ||
| Froggy |
I thought I told you not to park in the lake! Oh well good luck with the new seals  | ||
| Scottk |
Thanks for the humor Froggy I need it right now. | ||
| Etennuly |
The important thing to note here is that you noticed the problem and had it fixed right away. Some have managed to ride until the axle, wheel, and swing arm were damaged. | ||
| Skyclad |
LOL...how refreshing it is to see somebody that does not know about the bearing issues the Ulysses went through. I guess that Buell really did get the bearings right this time. ScottK, I replaced my first set of rear bearings at 2200 miles, the second at 6500 and third at about 13000 miles. I did the last set myself and found some damage in the bearing seating area that was not allowing the bearings to seat properly. Repaired the damage and have not had a problem since. Almost 19000 on the bike now. Please note that I am not using OEM bearings at this time. SFK bearings failed with about 6000 miles, but they were not seated correctly. I have Koyo bearings in the beast now. | ||
| Scottk |
I have known of the bearing problem for some time, but after owning three buells this is the first to fail bearings... The shop said they will be done with my baby tomorrow!!! Later I will replace the front bearings with the black ones also. I thank all of yall for the information. | ||
| Xbimmer |
With 55K on my '06 Uly I've been considering replacing the wheel bearings, even though I've been inspecting and greasing them every tire change. The seals with age and weather have gotten hard, don't imagine they seal to well right now. Ordered a set of the "B" bearings from Skip Fordyce Buell last week from Rob the Buell Guy including the Buell Bike Day 15% off, got a set of four for the price of 1.5 NTN original bearings. Hope these new improved bearings really are improved over the much more expensive bearings my Uly came with. They're having another bash there tomorrow with discounted parts and accessories if anybody in the Riverside CA area is interested. | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
As for over-greasing the bearings. I finger wipe as much as possible into them and then let the seal squeeze out the excess when I finger press it back into place. Then I brush on a layer of anti-seize. Then I put the wheel back on the ULY. I haven't had problems with this method. My bearings (both front and rear) always look good with no rust or water in them. If I can get that seal back on completely then it is good to go and it has worked for me. That never seize cannot be overlooked considering the weakness of that little seal. I also completely slather anti-seize on the entire axle and have had ZERO problems and ZERO corrosion or problems getting the axle off. Anti-seize does the trick and is called out in the service manual. Maybe Buell should apply it during initial construction of their bikes. I don't believe they do but then call for it in the manual. | ||
| Ulyscol |
Has anyone ever been able to find the blue grease that comes standard in the wheel bearings for sale anywhere? If not what alternatives do you use? | ||
| Etennuly |
Should be good with any hi temp wheel bearing grease that would be used in the front wheel bearings of cars and pickups. I use Valvoline, it is red. When you pack a little into them, make sure to leave some air space in the seal. They need room for heat expansion. | ||
| Kurbennett |
Has anybody thought about seeing if these folks make a compatible bearing? http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-accessories /2009/#bearings I have close to 20k on my Uly with the original bearings, figured I would upgrade at the next maintenance. Was curious if anyone had thought to try ceramic bearings and if so what was the outcome. | ||
| Tootal |
I don't know if ceramic bearings could handle the shock loads of a wheel bearing application. Talking to the manufacturer would be a good idea before experimentation. As far as grease is concerned, if you over grease a bearing it will spit out what it doesn't need. They're smart little buggers!  | ||
| Nobuell |
Kurbennett The ceramic bearings look interesting. I sent an email to Worldwide Bearings to see if they make a ceramic replacement and get info on the application. I will post their response when received. | ||
| Scottk |
I got my Uly back today, they did a good job with the bearings. I lifted the bike and spun the rear tire, It rolled so much smoother than before. I am going back to get the front done also. I do hope these last longer!!! |
