I just replaced the front wheel bearings this weekend. I used the All-Balls brand. When I got to work this morning I looked at the front to see if there were any problems. I saw that both dust seals were about half way out of the wheel hub. That makes them about useless.

Does anyone see a problem with taking the wheel off, cleaning all grease off the hub and dust seals, then use a mild glue like Elmers to hold the dust seals in place? I don't really like these type of "fixes". However, I don't know of any other way to hold the dust seal in place.

T.I.A.

locktite :)

I'm assuming they are new ones from All-Balls. Clean the surface and put a thin film of silicone seal on it. If you use black, it blends in. If you use red or orange, it looks custom...LOL.

I hadn't thought of that one. Thanks. I think I have a fresh tube of Black RTV laying around.

I've always been pleased with the service from All-Balls. You might wish to consider advising them of this problem....at the very least they'd know that there's one person who's had fitment issues. They may do nothing except recommend a sealer, or they may step up and send you new seals. Obviously, they don't make their product...they just purchase it from the manufacturer's spec sheet, and box it. So if they know of your problem, it may add to their knowledge base and support a change of supplier or fixing a misunderstanding, and allow them to continue to give good service.
<rant>
Like most people, I'm in the habit of simply installing the parts that came in the box. Recently, even with "premium" companies, I'm finding parts coming closer and closer to specification limits as manufacturing processes are "economized." So its important to check replacement parts carefully, including the use of a dial caliper or micrometer. Tooling is used longer before being replaced or refurbished, cheaper processes allow greater deviation from standard specs, and less expensive quality control (read-LESS) allows errors to get through. Companies are relying on their good reputations (if they have one) or their minimalist prices to make up the difference in their product. Only thing is...hard parts is hard parts. Good vibes and cheap prices rarely meet tolerances. I recently purchased an aftermarket fairing stay....yes it was more crudely made than OEM, but the mount points are the same, and its hidden from view. The part that wasn't obvious until mounting was that the mount points were not the same....they were tilted about 20 degrees from OEM in two separate axis....its a brand new piece of cast aluminum junk.

</rant>

I took your advice Papa Joe. I called AllBalls. Very nice to deal with. He said I was the first he had heard of this. He also said I may have gotten one out of spec. He was going to check the measurements of what he had on his shelves to make sure they are in spec. Then he will send me a new set of seals.
So, if the new ones are in spec. and do the same thing, is my hub out of spec? Should I look into getting a new front wheel?

You should get a new wheel. But I'll give you $20 to ship the old one to me....I'll put it on my shelf as a museum exhibit.

No reason whatsoever for your wheel to be out of spec. Its not a wear area. And even if it were, the silicone fix is fine. Its just a dust seal, not a door seal for the space shuttle.

GOD, I hope it's not space shuttle related. That damn thing falls apart left and right.
Thanks for the tips.

I would replace the center spacer with new if anything.
It may be undersized now, crushed. It is meant to prevent the inner race from being pushed in by the torque on the nut. If it was over torqued it would expose the seal because it is not aligned to the outer race now. It does not take much to kill the bearing also.

But, that is me.

I just replaced my front wheel bearings the other week and the dust seals (allballs racing) moved out on me after a ride around the block to check everything.

I took joes advice and gave it alittle help to stick in place.

So far no problems..

You may want to give them a call. Just a friendly chat to let them know that this may be an issue. They were quite receptive to me. I have a new set of seals on the way.

might do that this evening if I get a free moment.

For those that are having the issue, is there anything that happened during removal or installation that could contribute to this?

I've got a set of All Balls on the way nexxt week & will be doing front + rear for the first time. Got 40k out of the stockers & hope to do at least as well with the replacements.

I got the new seals from AllBalls installed. Same as the initial set. They just about dropped in with no pressure. So, I did as Joe said and used some black silicone. I let it dry overnight. It is pouring this morning so I did not ride into work. Perhaps it will be clear this afternoon so I can test it.

I will call AllBalls on Monday to let them know what is up. Not angry in any way, just to let them know it may be an issue so if someone else calls they can suggest the silicone.

No issues on removal. The stock seals were pried out evenly. Bearings were hammered out evenly. Two taps at 12, two at 6, two at 3, two at 9, etc............

The only thing I noticed is that the right side of the hub had the new bearing go in snug for about the first 1/2" then it dropped in easily. There is about 1/2 a mm of play on the outer race. Perhaps the original bearing on that side spun a little. Not sure.

Same here on mine. The oem dust seals came out with some help. Bearings were tapped out evenly, and the new bearings were snug fitting all the way till seated.

The new dust seals though could be pushed into place with my pinky.

All Balls suck.Period.Quality of bearings is not up to OEM standards.Cheap Made in China shit. I`m also very familiar with those loose dust seals.

Next time I`ll gladly pay more and get OEM.

Try a bearing house, like World Wide Bearing in Fairfield NJ.
They cater to bikes and have quality products, including ceramic bearings.
I replaced the bearings and seals in my wheels and had no problems whatsoever.
Hank

What kind of longevity are people seeing from the All Balls wheel bearings?

Mine are going in this weekend, but if they're crap, I'll wait to order OEM...

I replaced my OEM`s at about 90k.Wheel bearings were still good,but I did them as a form of preventive maintenance.Two of All Balls failed within next 30 Ks.

OEM steering bearings were shoot,they got replaced by tapered All Balls.Those proved to be PITA,If they are set not to be loose at cool temps,cool motor and frame,they can go really tight in the mid summer when everything gets really hot.And vice versa.
I got them dissembled,regreased with some unobtanium synthetic grease.They still do it.On the top of that after 40 K they did develop grove,notch, etc in "center position".Bike is ready for new set.

I`m not claiming that all tapered steering bearings are bad, but All Balls plainly suck,they are not top quality parts.

I just checked my Internet source for OEM parts,for 99XX two front bearings and seals are about 30 bucks,,,,,,,,why I ever bothered with All Balls junk ?

Thanks for the info. If I can get 30k out of 'em, I'll put them in. Perhaps I'll use some silicone on the seals just to be sure they seal & be a little more proactive about greasing axles & checking bearings at tire changes.

Edit: Just for the record, mine were pretty much just as described by others. Rear seals seemed to fit well but the fronts were on the small side. Hopefully silicone is enough to keep 'em in place.