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Question Potential Bad wheel bearings

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Berardi3

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Jun 2, 2022
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Ringwood New Jersey
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2022 BMW R 18 B 1991 BMW K75S
How do you know if you have Bad wheel bearings I suspect I do on my front wheel I sometimes hear a squeal or like a humming sound seems more amplified in turns either left or right tire shows uneven wear IMG_3315.jpeg
 
How many miles on your bike?

New tires recently mounted or stock tires still on the bike?

Maybe an unbalanced front tire; any evidence of missing wheel weights?

You can try to see, if the wheel indicators are still visible, and compare the color (DOT) location in reference to the air valve?

Screenshot_20250915-051301.png
 
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How many miles on your bike?

New tires recently mounted or stock tires still on the bike?

Maybe an unbalanced front tire; any evidence of missing wheel weights?

You can try to see, if the wheel indicators are still visible, and compare the color (DOT) location in reference to the air valve?

View attachment 19017
Still original tires
 
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Still original tires
Do you have the ability to raise your front tire off of the ground, in order to spin it freely? Any chance do you have the KERN-STABI X-518 stand?

I found the stock tires to be noisier than the recently mounted Metzler tires; I would hear a "hum" of sorts while riding my Model B, which I mostly contributed to the bell housing that covers the shocks tubes.

I'm not saying it isn't a bad wheel bearing; however, I would be surprised if it turned to be a bad bearing...
 
Shouldn’t the manufacturer’s balance mark be OPPOSITE the valve?

Shouldn’t the manufacturer’s balance mark be OPPOSITE the valve?
The YELLOW color DOT marks the lightest part of the tire, and is typically aligned with the heaviest part of the wheel; which, is where the valve stem or TPS sensor is located..
 
A Red Dot is not the heaviest part of the tire it is the highest point (out of round) and would be aligned with the lowest point on the wheel if marked. If both red and yellow dots on the tire and no marking on the wheel the red dot is aligned with the valve stem. Picked this up from an old tire fitter.
 
A Red Dot is not the heaviest part of the tire it is the highest point (out of round) and would be aligned with the lowest point on the wheel if marked. If both red and yellow dots on the tire and no marking on the wheel the red dot is aligned with the valve stem. Picked this up from an old tire fitter.
I agree with this statement 100%... It's how I understand the science behind mounting tires...
 
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