Wheel Bearings

[zoom45]

I had a rattle develop that sounded just like a loose clamp on the exhaust but I couldn't pinpoint where it was coming from and it didn't do it all the time just mainly when coasting or under acceleration at certain speeds. Yesterday, I finally heard an added squeek with it and it did it more often. I couldn't tell any difference in the handling. I finally jacked it up and found a little slack in the front wheel bearings so I ordered new ones last night. I can't understand what's wrong I only have 85,000 miles on it. LOL. Has anyone ever had to change those bearings? I don't remember seeing much on it in the forum. Guess I'll ride the Ninja till they come in.
Zoom45

[redjay]

Wheel bearings usually last a very long time. Let us know if the new wheel bearings cure the noise.

[gatabout]

I had the 1st problem you are speaking of, it was one of the heat shields on the exhaust. Use of crappy aluminum rivets, pulled the shields drilled them out and replaced them with steel ones. Hope this is the extent of your problem. By the way it drove me nuts..

[zoom45]

Mine is definetely in the wheel. I had the exhaust rattle too a couple of years ago. Sounded like the motor was coming apart. Mine was only a loose hose clamp on the heat shield.
Zoom45

[zoom45]

Changed my front wheel bearings today. They were bad. The one on the left side had started coming apart. Make sure you check them next time you change a tire. It still rolled ok but the seal had came apart and one ball had come out of the cage. Good thing I caught it before I got far from home. The bad bearing is on the bottom. The one on the speedometer side is on the top.


Zoom45

[macmac]

Nice catch odd sound you got. In my experience they howel, crunch and grind, usually in a corner first. When I had oem Brickstones on I thought the bearings were that howel, as first. Man I hated those tires, got them off the 01, then that was stolen and I got a slightly used 06 and i was right back on bricks. Grrr

[redjay]

I was convinced my front tire was bad due to the howling coming from what I thought was the front of the bike. I changed the front tire and the howl was still there. I changed the rear tire, and the howl was gone. Good that you caught the bearing before it let go.