Harley Wheel Bearing End Play

I feel like this spec gets overlooked a lot. When people change bearings or clean bearings or whatever, its important to check the end play to ensure that the bearings have enough clearance to operate.

[@nickniquette993]

Thank you, I like the option of doing it off the bike. I found it more accurate

[@1AXMRDR]

Good video. No nonsense, just the right amount of dialogue. I did mine by 'feel' about 90K miles ago and still working fine, guess I got lucky. I'm a bit pickier about stuff like that now. IIRC, I just moved the spacer from the inside of the bearing to the outside to keep up with the spacers. I really like the idea of setting the endplay on the bench.

[@paulfite720]

Man that is a very helpful video. I’m doing mine right now and I was looking for a good explanation. You hit it out the park. Thanks

[@BrewCityRider]

Thanks for the vid! Just did this job on my '88 Softail using that same page in the manual it looks like Those end play specs are for a greased wheel torqued up on the bike. Not sure how much the grease would affect the reading, but thats the way I did it. I had 9 thou end play.

[@Yeeet278]

Do you need two of those shims with a bumped out collar so the shins don’t sit flat on the bearing?

[@danamuloin8582]

Just a quick question I picked up a sportster a while ago and it had shims and the step-up washer on both sides I am pretty sure this came from factory this way.That being said When I go back to putting it together should I only worry about shimming the 1 side if needed The bike is a 1996 hugger Thanks Ps I am 99.9% sure it had never been pulled apart before.bike had original tires and less than 5500 miles on it

[@ChucksCycles]

as long as it specs out and there is no rubbing on the bearing cage, you can put them on either side, one side or both.

[@duckman2667]

Sorry if you addressed this question. Is it better to match the shims on both sides? Or is it ok to just add the shims or shims on one side? Other than that great vid as usual. Keep up the great work.

[@ezekielmadia8908]

always just one side brother

[@ChucksCycles]

Usually just one side, I suppose if you had 2 of the stepped shims and the measurements checked good, you could put them on both sides. As long as end play is good and the bearing cages aren’t in a bind, it’s good to go.

[@wakkogn9351]

When removing/reinstalling the bearings, do they have to go back on their original races? Where do you get those thin shims? I looked on the Amazon and didn't see any. '99 Fatboy, FYI.

[@leekilgore4711]

ram jet racing is where i found shims

[@PatYep-vb9jz]

What book u use mine 92 sport rear wheel but same wheel it looks ... vid I just watch says 3-6 that y I ask which book u use

[@PatYep-vb9jz]

3-6 sportster rear wheel 92 and I think dyna

[@PatYep-vb9jz]

Why do you figure end play in middle not end? You add spacer it moves bearing away from race then it no longer sits on race properly. From outside of one bearing to outside of other bearing is a matched factor end play is outside not inside matched factor other wise why do you buy matching bearing - race. Are my machine omg skills not correct?