re-use wheel bearings?

[stro1965]

Anyone ever do this?  I pulled mine (15 K on 'em) to powdercoat the wheels.  I went to a local bearing supply place this morning to get replacements and he asked why I wasn't just reinstalling them since they appeared to be in fine condition.  What say you?

[bladerunner]

  How did you remove them ? I just changed a set with the Jims  tool , they where real tough to get out.  A lot of pressure put on the inner race....I would not  use them over. ............bladerunner

[HogBob]

Hard to argue with the bearing supply specialist. If they're sealed bearings they should be good for a lot more than 15,000 miles. If they're the old style tapered packable type, you can clean and inspect them for wear/damage. As long as you didn't damage them during removal, I'd be inclined to use them. Of course I'm cheap, thats why my bikes are 10 and 14 years old. Just hate to replace things that still work well.  

Bob

[FSG]

You install bearings by pressing on the outer race, you remove them by pressing, pulling, hammering, etc, on the inner race and can/will damage, put flat spots on the balls, races, etc.  Reuse them, no, new bearings are cheap.   

[Panzer]

I would say that bearings are his business, he should know.  
Repack them and reinstall.
On the other hand, if they're only a couple of $$ a piece, I think I would replace, for peace of mind.
But the economy stinks..........your call.  LOL

Panzer's .02

[Phu Cat]

I would say that bearings are his business, he should know. 

That guy may have decades of experience, or just weeks.  Wonder which it might be?  On a single track vehicle, I'd replace 'em.  (And I know NOTHIN about bearings.)

PC

[HV]

If they are the newer HD bearings ..Id replace them.... even pulling them using the Jims tools they will be needing replacement soon ...for the price of safety... change them

[truck]

How much do aftermarket bearings cost? For my 2001 Ultra they cost $29.95 each at the Harley dealer.
I'm not putting a price on safety here, just wondering about price.
Also does anyone know the "bearing house" part numbers for the front and rear bearings on a 2001 Ultra?

[tbird]

Always replace. Their only about $8 a piece at Jireh's. I've bought several from them, Got guys wanting to change from spokes to the factory mags and i seem to only get good deals on 02 and newer wheels. Have to change the bearing on the rear to fit 3/4 axle on the 00 and 01's

[FSG]

I would say that bearings are his business, he should know. 

I know a lot of "subject matter experts" that are not.

[Glenn W]

As above on the REPLACE THEM. As mentioned-when they were/are installed all pressing force is supposed to be done on the outer race; no axial stress on the bearings. When the bearings are removed you have to apply the force to the inner race to drag the outer race from the pocket; direct axial force against the balls and sides of the races. They may be fine, maybe not; guy behind the counter doesn't get the road rash if a bearing locks up. Sorry if I sound preachy-I worked 20 years in a 24/7 glass factory, got my journeyman's card in '87. haven't seen it all, but I've seen some things too many times If you don't want or can't afford to have downtime just replace them and be done with it. How they are installed means the world also-just ask the MOCO about how to install cam bearings............................
Try Bearing Headquarters also, national chain with local stores catering to industry but they'll sell retail, too. Ask them about price matching if you have a bona-fide price in writing including shipping and they may work with you. They are used to "adjusting" prices according to volume done with local industries but times are rough and sales are down, just say'n 

[busmechanic1]

I would say that it is your call since its your money. If you feel better about R&R them if you dont trust them so be it.Why would a person that is in business to sell you a product advise against it anywho??? Well DUHHHHHHH!

[1JITSU1]

Does anybody know if the bearings that RK EXCEL AMERICA sell are
any good  There bearing are double row I like to try them in
my rear rim because ride 2 up 50% of the time
Only if the quality is good

[PoorUB]

Anyone ever do this?  I pulled mine (15 K on 'em) to powdercoat the wheels.  I went to a local bearing supply place this morning to get replacements and he asked why I wasn't just reinstalling them since they appeared to be in fine condition.  What say you?

If you pulled them by putting pressure on the inner race they are junk as far as I am concerned. They may feel good, but the force from removeing them can damage the balls and races. Personally, even if the bearings were $100 each, I would change them. Not worth my life to find out. Ever have a bearing fail at 70 MPH?

If you can remove a bearing buy driving against the part of the bearing that is held, for example the outer race of a wheel bearing, then I have no problem reuseing them. Pretty hard to get a wheel bearing out without putting force through the balls and races of the bearing.

When installing new bearing drive only on the outer race. A hammer and brass drift is ok, When noting else is available, and you are very careful. A proper hydraulic press is best.

[PoorUB]

I would say that bearings are his business, he should know. 

That guy may have decades of experience, or just weeks.  Wonder which it might be?  On a single track vehicle, I'd replace 'em.  (And I know NOTHIN about bearings.)

PC

Good point! Do you trust every mechainic you talk to? Maybe the guy flips bugers full time, and helps out at the bearing supply when they are short handed. Personally, I think the guy is full of crap!

[stro1965]

I planned on replacing them despite what he said.  Just wanted to know what you guys thought.  I think maybe he said that just because he didn't have the correct replacement bearings for me anyway.

[hdpegscraper]

 

[jaw65]

No question i would replace them.
If you have to replace them in a year or 2 you are goint to stuff your new powdercoat so do it now.

[RK103]

If your not comfortable reusing them, don't. If you can remove them and feel that the force it took to remove them didn't damage them, then reuse them. The balls and races on a quality bearing are harder than he!!. And if you can't tell by the way your bike handles that there is a problem, long before it gets to be a problem, then put new ones in. Just sayin; If you don't feel qualified to make the judgment then err on safety's side, but it is not by any means, one size fitts all. Except maybe on a liability standpoint. Mine have 115,000 on them, so I'd probably put new ones in if I took them out.

[JamLazyAss]

There's always shoulda, coulda, oughta...

Anytime I have something apart to the bearings, they get replaced.
Not because I can afford to, but because I may not be able to afford not to.

Change them, same money on the shiney stuff and ride safe.

[harleyjt]

Once you pull a unit/sealed bearing out from the center, they're trash.  Those bearings were never meant to be loaded in that way.   If you could remove them them by pulling or pushing on the outer race, then you could reuse them.  Yes - I know a lot of guys have reused them and had good luck doing it.   But that's just the key to it...  they're lucky. 
jt

[BKACHE]

I would agree with replacing sealed bearings, but the rule of thumb for a non sealed bearing is of you run your fingernail over the bearing surface or race surface and it does not catch - repack and install.