ninjette.org - View Single Post - Fix for front wheel squeak noise/Front wheel removal

cuong-nutz · December 20th, 2011, 09:56 PM

If you are getting an odd noise at low speed that's repetitive as the front wheel turns most likely it's your wheel hub seals. It also could be because the seal was not installed flush and or was damaged during wheel removal/installation. Over time dirt and grime will accumulate around the seal and eventually get into it. KKim's DIY tire change and balance touches on this topic.

Tools needed:
Pliers
Torque wrench
12mm wrench/socket
17mm wrench/socket
20mm wrench/socket
front triple stand (or at least a rear stand and jack)
rear stand

Materials:
rags/paper towels
wheel bearing grease

Support your bike up with both front and rear stands.
Remove the front brake caliper held on by 2 12mm bolts and move it to the side.
Disconnect the speedometer cable from wheel hub. With some pliers, just unscrew.

Remove cotter pin and castle nut.
Carefully remove the axle bolt while supporting the wheel. Lower wheel and remove. The wheel spacer on the right side will fall out in most cases.

Clean the wheel spacer, speedometer hub seal, and wheel seals of old grease and debris.

Inspect wheel spacer for nicks and scratches where the seal surface contacts. If there are any, lightly polish it smooth. If any of the seals are noticeably damaged, replace them or else water and debris will enter the wheel hub and damage the wheel bearings. I found out that one of my seals wasn't installed flush and had some slight tears on the lip but didn't need to be replaced. Install new grease onto seals, axle bolt and wheel spacer.
Here you can kind of see that the seal wasn't installed flush.

Reinstall wheel spacer and speedometer hub back on to wheel. Carefully lift wheel inbetween forks making sure that the speedometer gear housing stop is aligned with the fork. If it's not aligned, the housing will spin and damage your speedometer cable and housing.
You can see the slot here will it will line up with the fork:

Slide axle bolt through wheel.
Torque castle nut to 65 ft/lb.
Install cotter pin.
Put some grease on the speedometer cable end and put it back into the housing. Spin the wheel so the cable end will fit into the gear slot so you can screw it back in.
Reinstall brake caliper. Torque bolts to 18 ft/lb.

Stay squeak free

December 20th, 2011, 09:56 PM	#1
cuong-nutz RIP Alex Name: Cuong Location: Houston, TX Join Date: Apr 2011 Motorcycle(s): '10 250r, '09 265r Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 2	Fix for front wheel squeak noise/Front wheel removal If you are getting an odd noise at low speed that's repetitive as the front wheel turns most likely it's your wheel hub seals. It also could be because the seal was not installed flush and or was damaged during wheel removal/installation. Over time dirt and grime will accumulate around the seal and eventually get into it. KKim's DIY tire change and balance touches on this topic. Tools needed: Pliers Torque wrench 12mm wrench/socket 17mm wrench/socket 20mm wrench/socket front triple stand (or at least a rear stand and jack) rear stand Materials: rags/paper towels wheel bearing grease Support your bike up with both front and rear stands. Remove the front brake caliper held on by 2 12mm bolts and move it to the side. Disconnect the speedometer cable from wheel hub. With some pliers, just unscrew. Remove cotter pin and castle nut. Carefully remove the axle bolt while supporting the wheel. Lower wheel and remove. The wheel spacer on the right side will fall out in most cases. Clean the wheel spacer, speedometer hub seal, and wheel seals of old grease and debris. Inspect wheel spacer for nicks and scratches where the seal surface contacts. If there are any, lightly polish it smooth. If any of the seals are noticeably damaged, replace them or else water and debris will enter the wheel hub and damage the wheel bearings. I found out that one of my seals wasn't installed flush and had some slight tears on the lip but didn't need to be replaced. Install new grease onto seals, axle bolt and wheel spacer. Here you can kind of see that the seal wasn't installed flush. Reinstall wheel spacer and speedometer hub back on to wheel. Carefully lift wheel inbetween forks making sure that the speedometer gear housing stop is aligned with the fork. If it's not aligned, the housing will spin and damage your speedometer cable and housing. You can see the slot here will it will line up with the fork: Slide axle bolt through wheel. Torque castle nut to 65 ft/lb. Install cotter pin. Put some grease on the speedometer cable end and put it back into the housing. Spin the wheel so the cable end will fit into the gear slot so you can screw it back in. Reinstall brake caliper. Torque bolts to 18 ft/lb. Stay squeak free __________________________________________________ HalfFast Racing Team Serving Greater Houston Area Riders:WFO Riders MotoHouston HPC CMRA Ride Smart Fastline Lone Star Track Days Last futzed with by cuong-nutz; December 20th, 2011 at 11:03 PM.