I was driving and it was very windy today, and it felt like my front wheel was loose. It could have been the 30+ MPH cross winds hitting it, I looked and everything looked correct. I was just wondering if there was anyway I could tell if something was wrong?

It felt as if the wheel was wobbling from side to side, like I said it could have been the strong wind, I just want to make sure the whole front end isn't going to fall out from under me.... Thanks guys


-Aaron

 

make sure your front axle nut is torqued, I have an 06 and I think the spec. is 43 ftlbs.
Depending on how many miles you have might want to service and re-torque you steering head, and maybe replace the bearings

 

the bike almost has 40k on the clock, probably wouldn't be a bad idea.... where is the front axle nut?

 

It's that big bolt in the middle of the front wheel. I'll bet yours is OK ~ but check it anyways. When it's windy my bike feels all squirly too.

 

put the bike on a stand and check the bearing play. the wheel should have no play left to right, up or down

 

I dont have access to stand when i move the front wheel while its parked with the kickstand down it has some wobble to it. But I see the handle bars moving as well so I assume that is normal, I am going to get that nut retorqued just to make sure.... It was really windy today I hope that is all, the bike just felt as if the front wheel wasn't stable, it definatly could have just been the wind.... Thanks for all the imput..Anymore suggestions are welcome.


-Aaron

 

When you move the front wheel with the kickstand down it has some wobble to it???

You see the handlebars moving as well.......???

I take it you are actually grabbing the front wheel itself in your hands and moving it? If it has a very small amount of wobble up and down that I THINK is passable but it should not have any side to side wobble or freedom at all. I think the correct torque on the F4i axle bolt is 44 ft lbs close enough to the 43 ft lbs mentioned above, different manual different number. If you don't have a torque wrench thats going to be about forearm tight, shouldn't require too much biceps and triceps like the lug nuts on a car/light truck would.

You should probably loosen the pinch bolts at the bottom of the forks before tightening the axle bolt, then retighten the pinch bolts.

If the front wheel bearings have 40,000 miles on them its about time to replace them. If you have a garage or at least a carport, some tools, and average mechanical skills you can probably handle it. Otherwise take it to a shop.

If your bike has 40,000 miles on all the bearings it could be time for some maintenance. Would be better than having to change the bearings in your mechanical arms and legs or wheelchair should something go wrong.

 

What he said

My bike did the exact same thing. While riding it felt like it was gonna fall off.

I checked all the bolts they were tight, got it up on a stand, and could move the wheel back and forth a bunch, it was the bearing.

 

when I moved the wheel from left to right the wheel was on the ground. I was physically moving it with my hand on the tire. I saw the handlebars move as well.... that is why I didn't think it was a big deal...

Could someone elaborate on where this axel nut is? I didn't see it when I looked, I reallly don't want to take it to a shop where they will charge me a arm and a leg just to tighten some bolts...

One more thing, where are the bearings located? I assume I could do this on my own with a extra pair of hands put I am new to motorcycle maintance.... I just want to make sure the wheel isnt going to fall off while I am driving,

I drove it today and it felt fine with no wind, I would just rather be safe than risk it. I really think it was the wind but it couldn't hurt to see if there is a problem....Could I jack the bike up using a small hydrolic jack and put something behind the back wheel to see if there is any play while the front wheel is suspended in air?

I have a little mechanical mindset I always worked on my own cars so I don't think this would be a problem just not sure what to look for... Thanks again for all the replies guys...



-Aaron

 

Get the front wheel off the ground somehow, someway, then grab the wheel/tire see if it has play, and I am assuming it will, you have a bad bearing.

The bearing sits in the middle of the wheel. Your bike is doing EXACTLY what mine was, it wasnt a constant "wobble". It would be fine, then wobble, then go for a while, then wobble.

When we took it off it was in BAD shape. If you get the weight off the front wheel, move the tire and there is no play, then indeed it was the wind.

If it was me, Id prolly not ride a bunch more till you know for sure, unless you got mad wheelie skills, thats just my .02


Heres a tutorial for rear wheel bearing replacement
http://www.garagenight.tv/