Wheel bearing replacement and correct procedure

Discussion in '3rd & 4th Generation 1990-1997' started by Jonasbeavis, Sep 16, 2023.

  1. Jonasbeavis

    Jonasbeavis New Member

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    Hi , yesterday I have done my front wheel bearing for the first time.

    Put my wheel on two pieces of wood , hammered with a long punch , all went out smooth.

    Then I put the new bearing , greased outside, tapping the outside , then used the old bearing to take it to to bottom , finishing with socket .
    Put some grease on the spacer , put it inside , same procedure for the second bearing.

    Greased the dust seals and installed them by hand , then with a socket hammered gently to the final position , flat with the hub.

    Put the spacers ( long and short) , wheel , greased axle shaft, screw it by hand , put the bike down , only on the center stand.

    Loose the pinch bolts , bottom bridge bolts and brake calipers bolts. No mudguard installed.

    Then i have pressed down the suspension , (both hands on top bridge) several times to align everything.

    Torqued bottom bridge bolts , axle shaft , right pinch bolt , left pinch bolt.

    Lift the front , spin the wheel , pressed the brakes , stay pressed and torqued the calipers .

    After installing i was thinking if I did it wrong when installing the bearings , they have seals both sides ( Allballs) , so my doubt is if they need to be facing some specific side , or it doesn't matter?

    What do you think about my procedure?

    Thx in advance.
     
    Last edited: Sep 16, 2023


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  2. Captain 80s

    Captain 80s Member

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    I think your procedure was great. The 2RS bearings don't have an "outside".
     
    Last edited: Sep 16, 2023


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  3. Jonasbeavis

    Jonasbeavis New Member

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    U
    Ufff.. many thx.
     


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  4. squirrelman

    squirrelman Member

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    sorry, but allballs uses cheap-shit garbage wheel bearings sourced mostly from china. i would never use their wheel bearings as my safety is critical, not a place to cheap out. ive read reliable accounts of allballs bearing failures on bike wheels. be sure to check their health often.

    the only quality bearings are made in japan, germany or usa.

    half-price parts generally last half as long as oem parts and almost never work as well.
     


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  5. Jonasbeavis

    Jonasbeavis New Member

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    Thx for the warning because i asked for bearings from my suplier and he give me this , never heard about it here in my country.
     


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  6. bmart

    bmart Insider

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    High praise!
     


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  7. squirrelman

    squirrelman Member

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    this makes me think maybe you didnt pack the bearing in the time-honored way, forcing grease in from a big wad in your hand, old school.

    slapping some grease the outside dont do shit o_O
     
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  8. FJ12rydertoo

    FJ12rydertoo Member

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    FWIW, I've never packed a motorcycle wheel bearing, and have never had one fail. I pack the tapered wheel bearings
    in my RV, but prefer not to make more work for myself. The point contact bearings like the motorcycle wheel bearings
    don't need a lot of grease. Too much grease will make them run hotter. IMO pressure washing, i.e. car wash wands, have
    a more deleterious affect than not packing them. But JMO after 60+ years of riding. :)
     


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  9. Captain 80s

    Captain 80s Member

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    I at least pop the dust seal and verify that there IS grease. Yes, I have found one dry, that's why I check every time. The amount varies a lot, so I will make sure there is the proper amount.
     


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  10. squirrelman

    squirrelman Member

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    yeah, proper maintinance IS work. sample size is 1, not statistically significent.
     


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  11. Terry Smith

    Terry Smith Member

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    Just to add my 2 cents worth (or whatever is the equivalent, allowing for inflation). There will be a recommended L/R order for the bearing installation so that the wheel ends up correctly centred in the forks. You also need to ensure the distance collar does not end up applying an axial load on the bearings, hence driving the second bearing in carefully. The text below is from the Honda Common Service Manual. For the RC36, the right bearing goes first which makes sense as that bearing is in contact with the spacer in contact with the right fork leg so that gives a defined position.

    upload_2023-9-18_15-46-50.png
     


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  12. FJ12rydertoo

    FJ12rydertoo Member

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    So 60+ years of front wheel bearings is "sample size is 1"? That's many bikes, many miles, and a few wheel bearing changes, but none due to lack
    of grease, and no replacements fail due to lack of grease. So how many samples do you have with failures due to insufficient grease?
     


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  13. squirrelman

    squirrelman Member

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    you were using OEM or equal--not allballs chinese crap then. id need to read the engineering papers i guess to figure how too much grease can cause overheating while metal-to-metal doesnt ?
     


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  14. FJ12rydertoo

    FJ12rydertoo Member

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    Okay, Chinese aftermarket bearings do make a difference. I didn't say metal to metal doesn't cause issues, but
    it's a fact that overgreasing can cause heat buildup. Especially on ball bearings where the only contact points
    are very small. They simply don't need much grease, one of those times with you can get too much of a good
    thing. :)
     


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