Rear wheel noise...wheel bearing?

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Ian522 · #1 Unread post by **Ian522** » Sun Oct 01, 2006 10:31 am

Today I had my bike on the centerstand in order to lube the chain. When I finished, I spun the rear wheel around a few times and could hear a sort of metallic scraping sound. At first I thought it was the brakes dragging, but the noise seems to be coming from the side of the wheel opposite from the brake rotor. I gave the wheel a shake and there isnt any play. And you cant really notice the noise when pushing the bike around.

Im stumped. My only guess is maybe the wheel bearing? Any ideas?

#2 Unread post by **Skier** » Sun Oct 01, 2006 10:42 am

How old are the bearings, milage- and age-wise? It probably won't hurt to replace 'em, anyways.

There are only a few things at the rear wheel that would cause a scraping sound: wheel bearings, final drive parts rubbing on the rim or swingarm or the braking hardware. Give each of those a very good checking.

Ian522 · #3 Unread post by **Ian522** » Sun Oct 01, 2006 11:02 am

The bike has 10k miles and is 27 years old. I have no idea of when the bearings were last changed, if ever. I just got the bike a month ago. Its definatly not the brakes. The chain doesnt seem to be rubbing against anything. I have a feeling its the bearing. But the weird thing is there is no play in the wheel and the noise isnt loud. (you can hear it when spinning it on the centerstand but not when pushing the bike.)

I guess ill just get it checked out. Anyone know a ball park figure for rear wheel bearing replacement?

#4 Unread post by **Skier** » Sun Oct 01, 2006 11:27 am

Ian522 wrote:The bike has 10k miles and is 27 years old. I have no idea of when the bearings were last changed, if ever. I just got the bike a month ago. Its definatly not the brakes. The chain doesnt seem to be rubbing against anything. I have a feeling its the bearing. But the weird thing is there is no play in the wheel and the noise isnt loud. (you can hear it when spinning it on the centerstand but not when pushing the bike.)

I guess ill just get it checked out. Anyone know a ball park figure for rear wheel bearing replacement?

My old Yamaha Radian was $20 or $40 a wheel for the bearings and all required parts (dust seals, etc..) and I believe it was $20 or so for labor per wheel.

Ian522 · #5 Unread post by **Ian522** » Sun Oct 01, 2006 11:29 am

cool, thats not as bad as I was expecting. Thanks.

crazy5dave · Tue Oct 03, 2006 2:13 am

Why would failed wheel bearings make a noise? If you want to know if the bearings are bad, drop the wheel out on your center stand and stick your finger in and spin the bearings. any notchyness is a bad bearing. if its smooth all the way around its ok. Does your chain have any lube on it?

jonnythan · #7 Unread post by **jonnythan** » Tue Oct 03, 2006 2:39 am

crazy5dave wrote:Why would failed wheel bearings make a noise? If you want to know if the bearings are bad, drop the wheel out on your center stand and stick your finger in and spin the bearings. any notchyness is a bad bearing. if its smooth all the way around its ok. Does your chain have any lube on it?

Bearings make noise when they go bad. That's what they do.