2003 Buell Firebolt Wheel Bearing Problems

[Lynne]

My boyfriend purchased a used 2003 Buell Firebolt with approx. 20,000 miles on it back in June. In August, the wheel bearings went on us doing about 60 on a local highway and we noticed it immediately. My boyfriend limped back home with it. We found a recall on the wheel bearings, but according to the color of the wheel bearing housing, we knew that the fix was done to it.

He replaced the wheel bearings himself and didn't have any problems. He used to race and worked on his own bike so he knows what he's doing. Well, guess what? At the first of this month, the wheel bearings went in it again. We decided to take it to Harley this time and get them to replace them. They said they weren't sure why it happened again, but that you have to have a "special" tool and maybe that was it. We'll see how long this lasts. I have searched the internet and cannot find that anyone is having similar problems with this particular bike.

Can anyone help? If it happens again, my boyfriend says he's getting rid of the bike but LOVES it and hates to part with it. But safety is our main concern as we are both pushing 50.

Thanks for any info you can provide.

[Lynne]

2003 Buell Firebolt Wheel Bearing Problems

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My boyfriend purchased a used 2003 Buell Firebolt with approx. 20,000 miles on it back in June. In August, the wheel bearings went on us doing about 60 on a local highway and we noticed it immediately. My boyfriend limped back home with it. We found a recall on the wheel bearings, but according to the color of the wheel bearing housing, we knew that the fix was done to it.

He replaced the wheel bearings himself and didn't have any problems. He used to race and worked on his own bike so he knows what he's doing. Well, guess what? At the first of this month, the wheel bearings went in it again. We decided to take it to Harley this time and get them to replace them. They said they weren't sure why it happened again, but that you have to have a "special" tool and maybe that was it. We'll see how long this lasts. I have searched the internet and cannot find that anyone is having similar problems with this particular bike.

Can anyone help? If it happens again, my boyfriend says he's getting rid of the bike but LOVES it and hates to part with it. But safety is our main concern as we are both pushing 50.

Thanks for any info you can provide.

[Lynne]

Thanks so much. I'll pass along what I've found out thus far. I hope and pray we don't have another failure. It's really scary.

[Kainam]

How were the bearings installed and removed? HD uses sealed bearings since 2000. If the seal got damaged on installation, that could be your problem.


Here's a pic of the tool

[Lynne]

The bearings were sealed. We think it was the spacer tube. Thanks for your help.