Wheel bearing rant

What the H#!! is wrong with companies these days? I got new wheel bearings for the baby ceptor and as usual I popped the dust caps to check the amount of grease inside and all I can say is wtf, looks like someone had a spot of grease the size of a small marble, slapped it in one spot and threw the caps on. No wonder the things were dry inside the little bag they came in. What happened to the good ole days when you bought a bearing and the inside of the bag or paper wrap as well as the metal being covered or at least have a film of grease. What kind of jack @$$ can sell a bearing that supports a bike and a rider with such hap hazard assembly. not to mention the "grease" they used was they cheap crap that you see on plastic gears that slings off even in low speed applications.

 

What brand are they?

 

It's probably overkill, but when I buy a sealed bearing, I pop off one of the caps, clean out the grease and regrease. My favorite lubes are Armorplate 357 and Redline CV2, neither are soap based and both contain moly.

 

How do you pop off the cases without damaging them?

 

The Timken sealed bearings I buy have a black plastic/rubber cover on both sides, they pop off using a pocket knife and snap back on.

 

Anyone have input on what wheel bearing brands are better?? planning on changing the bearings on my bike soon since pieces have come from all over the US to get it built back.

 

I almost thought you were serious there for a second or two, tinkerin. :biggrin:

Years ago, high speed precision ball bearings were a part of my professional life. Depending on the application, manufacturers were very specific about what type of grease to use and exactly how much of it was required. Use too much grease in a sealed ball bearing and there is a good chance that you'll overheat it, as the grease has nowhere to go; it just creates friction as the balls have to force their way through it.

 

careful with moly lube, it actually penetrates the metal and builds up on bearings just like it does in rifle barrels, why I don't use it on either.


lot of car guys ended up with broken axles because of moly grease.

I do the exact same thing.

 

yes, they are sealed bearings. yes I know what the film is for, these didn't have that and that would be part of my complaint. yes, I know there are different types of grease and they are not compatible I also know most are made from soap which sux.

 

I guess I've been lucky.....been using the moly for a lot of years, no problems.

 

You got SM started again......:behindsofa:

Best bearings are made in USA, Japan, or Germany; worst are from China.

 

Based on no data ^^^^^^^^^

Sent from my NookColor using Tapatalk

 

Based upon the experience i've had with the "quality" of every Chinese product i've ever used or seen or tried to repair.

Chinese are OK for low-priced low-quality stuff you throw away when they break, which they do frequently. Wheel bearings?? No way.

The consequences of yet another Harbor Freight tool breaking the third time you use it are alot less than a seized wheel bearing while you're motoring.

Check this : All Balls Failure - Honda Hawk GT Forum

 

If in doubt, I always replace with genuine, or like SM, Japanese, US or German.