Changing wheel bearings
Member
1st Gear Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 86
From: NW Indiana
Sealed bearings keep lube in, not environment out.
One-sided seal will be fine because it allows gunk to leave the bearing. Sealed bearings are nearly impossible to lube. Personally, I'd use two sided steel shields in these applications. Just pop off one of the side sheilds. That way I could lay a good shot of water proof lube in there. One sided rubber sealed bearings are not easy to find and removing the seals could damage the bearing. I used to put bearings in every year when I last owned a dirt bike. And buy new spacers every year. These are light weight bearings taking a lot of shock.
I used to sell bearings for Motion and various other places. a 6004 2RS cost about $6. We used to get full list over the will call counter. I'll bet the local big account in town is paying about 15% over cost while you're about 60% or more. I suppose if you're gonna replace bearings once a year (not a bad idea in a dirt bike) Chinese bearings are good enough.Since it comes with the seals, I wouldn't try and beat Chinese prices for the stuff. Just get two sets and change them every spring, keep one set in the tool box. It's funny I have no problems spending hundreds on sexy mufflers and such but when it comes time to basic wheel turning maintenance items, it makes me gag to spend $80 on some good European bearings. Motor can sound real good but when wheels seize up, it only idles.
I used to sell bearings for Motion and various other places. a 6004 2RS cost about $6. We used to get full list over the will call counter. I'll bet the local big account in town is paying about 15% over cost while you're about 60% or more. I suppose if you're gonna replace bearings once a year (not a bad idea in a dirt bike) Chinese bearings are good enough.Since it comes with the seals, I wouldn't try and beat Chinese prices for the stuff. Just get two sets and change them every spring, keep one set in the tool box. It's funny I have no problems spending hundreds on sexy mufflers and such but when it comes time to basic wheel turning maintenance items, it makes me gag to spend $80 on some good European bearings. Motor can sound real good but when wheels seize up, it only idles.
Last edited by brooksie; Jan 31, 2012 at 01:22 AM.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,800
From: kootenay country BC Canada
1st Gear Member
Nah! Standard operating procedure when removing/installing pressed in parts. Along with discreet use of hammer. 
Da dirty moderator
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Joined: May 2006
Posts: 12,584
From: Pittsburgh, PA
Da dirty moderator
1st Gear Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 12,584
From: Pittsburgh, PA
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 4,507
From: SW Idaho
1st Gear Member
Ahh, shucks.
My bearings looked great. But fubar'd one on the way out. So, new bearings anyway.
But, this part is worn. It has a wear groove. How was yours?
Hit a bearing with the drive to get it out. Oh well.
My bearings looked great. But fubar'd one on the way out. So, new bearings anyway.
But, this part is worn. It has a wear groove. How was yours?
Hit a bearing with the drive to get it out. Oh well.
