what to soak new bearings in?

Pete Muller · Posted: Mon Apr 11, 2005 8:03 pm Post subject:

Actually, the single can of Chevron grease I have is something I got back in 1975 or so.

I called up some tech guy at Chevron... told him what I had (described the axle bearings and front wheel bearings in a kart) and he sent me this can of grease. After all these years, I still have about half the can left.

It's kind-of blueish-green in color, and has a bit of a "waxy" feel too it. It's quite heavy, but not stringy like what you would buy in an auto parts store as wheel bearing grease.

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Yea... 30 years in the sport for me, and I've been pretty happy never even *looking* for the "ladder". Very Happy

Michael Polizzi · Joined: 18 Jul 2001 Posts: 1565

Ladders scare me, not good with heights. Thats why I try to stay 1" off the ground when ever possible Very Happy

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Jamie Webb · Joined: 30 Aug 2001 Posts: 584

1975? Man, Pete is using Vintage grease!! (sorry, couldn't resist)

Sorry guys.... I was mistaken. Had something else on my mind I guess.

I actually went out in the shop to wipe off the can to see what I was using. Here is what I have been using:
Kendall
Super-Blue
L-427 Grease

Spec Sheet

It is in a blue cardboard type can. I have been dipping out of this can for I'm guessing 8 years or so and it's still a little over 1/2 full.

This was recommended to me by a local bearing supplier. Just never ran out so I never had any reason to change... Very Happy

(it's also pretty handy to keep valve locks in.... lol)
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Rick Noonan · Posted: Tue Apr 12, 2005 8:47 am Post subject:

so the answer is to pack the bearings and keep seals on them?????
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Pete Muller · Posted: Tue Apr 12, 2005 2:13 pm Post subject:

Greased? Definitely.

Seals or at the very least; extremely tight fitting shields.

Paul Clifton · Posted: Tue Apr 12, 2005 4:13 pm Post subject:

Pete Muller · Posted: Tue Apr 12, 2005 7:33 pm Post subject:

Hey Paul,

Grab that Ruttman award you have and look at some of the names back around say... 26 years ago. (ugh - Shocked

)

See anyone familiar on there? Wink

Chuck Bunnell · Posted: Wed Apr 13, 2005 8:49 am Post subject:

I have to disagree with your wading analogy. Most of the grease will be carried by the retainer since it has more surface area and an undulating geometry compared to either inner or outer race. Pack your bearings and then just turn the axle on the stand and watch what the grease does. Basically you have a doughnut stuck to the retainer with shearing between it and each race. The bearing is more than happy to accept a fair amount of grease and I've not seen any ill effects. Most that has happened is that excess grease can burp out through the seals until it finds its happy place. Now if we were talking about an oil or other liquid that the bearing was submerged in, then the wading would be appropriate.

Keith Carrigan · Joined: 11 Oct 2004 Posts: 125

Ok,ok, so we should leave the seals/shields on and use something to lubricate the bearing. My question is, what method whould be used to clean the bearings? How do you get the shields off without trashing them? Once they're off, what do you flush the dirt out of the bearing with (WD40, brake cleaner, spit)?

As an aside, does anyone else use arrow 50mm bearings? They are an odd size, and darn expensive. Does anyone have a source for replacement shields or even aftermarket bearings of the same odd size (as an alternative to the $50 a piece arrow ones)?

Chuck Bunnell · Posted: Thu Apr 14, 2005 8:45 am Post subject:

Use one or two very small screw drivers to slowly pry the shield up from the bearing. Go slow, take your time, only move up in small increments or you'll bend the shield. The seal is just popped up using one of those small screwdrivers to get under an edge. Then flush with your favorite solvent, mine is lacquer thinner, which should be clean and not carry any oil of its own, and wait for the bearing to air dry. Add your vintage grease and re-install the seal and shields. Be sure to grease the inner and outer edges of the seal. Slowly spin for a while to work the grease into the retainers and then go have at it.

Martin Secrest · Posted: Thu Apr 14, 2005 12:51 pm Post subject:

"Add my vintage grease"?? Oh sure ... if only I could find that 1978 bottle of Vitalis.

Keith Carrigan · Joined: 11 Oct 2004 Posts: 125

Should I be working the seal from the outside or the inside? That is, from the axle side or the cassette side? Thanks, -Keith

Chuck Bunnell · Posted: Tue Apr 19, 2005 9:14 am Post subject:

I pop the seal out from the outer diameter, the cassette side. Or for Martin and his Vitalis, either the 8-track side or the reel to reel. Razz

Do allow enough time for the solvent to evaporate from under the retainers. You can slowly roll by hand but do not under any circumstances use compressed air to "spin dry" the bearing.

Personnally I use a no-name synthetic grease allegedly good for a wide temperature range, I think the brand name is Mystic or something like that. It was sold at Quality Farm and Fleet.

Martin Secrest · Posted: Tue Apr 19, 2005 3:16 pm Post subject:

Does "Brake Kleen" qualify as an adequate solvent for cleaning bearings?

I hope so. Brake Kleen is pressurized and convenient. But smelly.

Chuck Bunnell · Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2005 8:54 am Post subject:

Brake Kleen should fine. Anything that dries without a residue will work. Stuff like carb cleaner has oil in it.