2002 Honda VTX1800 suspension problems

Filed May 20, 2010 · Suspension · 36,000 miles · TX

Honda 2002 vtx 1800rs during rear tire replacement at 36k miles discovered wheel bearing on the right side (brake side) was very bad...had no warning, no wheel wobble, wheel turned free, but wouldn't have been very long. Axle shaft discolored, no reason for this failure! All rear bearings replaced! Front bearings replaced for safety!

Filed Nov 14, 2008 · Suspension · 17,000 miles · MI

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 honda vtx1800c. While the contact was driving 50 MPH, he noticed that the rear tire felt different as if it were not properly aligned. The vehicle also pulled to the left. He heard clunking noises and the weld on the swing arm driveshaft housing failed. The contact took pictures and notified the dealer. The dealer then advised him to call the federal safety agency and the manufacturer. The manufacturer has not been notified. The current and failure mileages were approximately 17,000.

Filed Apr 5, 2008 · Suspension · 13,500 miles · FL

1. Grinding noise in rear 2. Flange bearing completely destroyed 3. Bearing replaced at dealer(have old bearing in hand).

Filed Jul 23, 2007 · Suspension · 67,856 miles · CO

Approximate date of failure: july 6 2007 year of manufacture: 2002 model:vtx 1800 s bearing condition: bearing totally trashed (in pieces) discovered while removing wheel to have tire repaired/replaced accident : none how fixed: locating parts now additional remarks: (any other pertinent information)

Filed Apr 20, 2007 · Suspension · 12,000 miles · NM

I own a 2002 honda vt1800c motorcycle and there is a manufacturer's defect on the rear wheel bearings. I only have 12,000 miles on this motorcycle and the rear wheel bearings are shot to hell. I have done extensive research on this subject with owner forums and see that many owners have the same problem but yet honda refuses to recognize that they have a defect or need a recall. It is my opinion that honda is not recalling this particular factory defect due to lack of a quality fix. Many owners report buying brand new factory bearing sets only to find that they are defective even before installing the new replacement bearings. Some one needs to make honda fix this situation at their expense before some one gets killed riding their motorcycle due to rear wheel lock up.

Filed Apr 19, 2006 · Suspension · 34,500 miles · FL

Dt*: the contact stated while the rear tire was being replaced, the contact requested the rear flange bearing be inspected, because of failure information found on the internet. The dealership replaced the rear flange bearings, because they had disintegrated.

Filed Apr 18, 2006 · Suspension · 9,800 miles · TX

I have a 2002 honda vtx1800r motorcycle. While removing rear wheel and tire for a tire replacement I found one of the flange bearings damaged. The inner cage of the bearing was completely torn apart and the balls while still in the race of the bearing housing were worn. I had been battling a vibration on this motorcycle for nearly 8000 miles. I was not able to detect this while turning the wheel with the motorcycle on jack. I had thought it was tire related but I know now that this was not the problem. Although I had reported my vibration problem to my local honda dealer several times they never developed this information to me even though I know there have been many vtx's with this problem. I am angry that a dealer and manufacturer would put people in danger to save a buck. I have at my own cost replaced both bearings and had the flange machined to prevent the binding of the inner bearing which I believe is the reason for the bearing failure. I had a machinist measure the flange bearing sleeve and discovered that the inner surface of the sleeve is smaller in diameter by .0015 of an inch making the bearing too tight when installed. This causes what many have reported as a bearing that feels like it grabs or is rough while turning yet when it is removed from the flange it spins freely.

Filed Mar 29, 2006 · Suspension · 29,223 miles · OH

I was having the rear tire changed and I checked the bearings. It has been reported on the honda web site that there have been several problems. The bearings were replaced and it was found that one was severely damaged. I have the bearing and photos.

Filed Sep 26, 2005 · Suspension · 26,628 miles · NC

The flange bearing on the rear wheel failed. The bearing was rough and very hard to turn. Many, many metal shavings were found in the rear hub assembly. These shavings were from the bearing. The problem was found when installing a new tire. The dealership replaced the entire flange assembly. They only charged me labor, did not charge me for the part. They are a very, very good dealership.

Filed Aug 31, 2005 · Suspension · 9,600 miles · OK

My 2002 vtx 1800 experienced rear wheel bearing failure with less than 10,000 miles on the bike. The bearing was checked by a honda dealer and was found to be locked up. Repair is being completed by dealer with expense out of my pocket.