Bearings

[jamieline]

Repacking bearings and this is what I found. Have not traveled too far since last maintenance.
Thoughts?

[TucsonJim]

This is a good one for our resident mechanical engineer (Rob) to weigh in on.

Cate&Rob - Your thoughts?

Thanks,

Jim

[Cate&Rob]

jamieline TucsonJim

The darker colored bearings look like they have been hot. My first guess would be too much pre-load on the spindle nut. Other possible causes could be high speed travel or poor quality grease. In any case . . . these bearings (and races) should be replaced. The “normal” color bearing in the foreground looks fine.

Rob

[Country Campers]

jamieline

I see you have a 2016 model. Are these the original bearings? How many miles?
Being as you have been doing the proper maintenance I am curious to compare with mine.
If they are original bearings Cate&Rob , What would be the life expectancy?
Would there be a point at which they should be just changed out?

I know , too many questions.....

Brian

[jamieline]

To add to this I only use Lucas Red-n-Tacky. I don't travel at high speed (actually had to get my relatives to slow down after they blew two tires).
I don't believe I have the spindle nut too tight but willing to look at it.
Actually all the bearings are showing the same signs. Doing the last wheel tomorrow.
With what you are saying maybe the preload is the answer as all are showing issues.

After you seat the bearing, how much do you back off the nut?

Thanks
Jim

[Cate&Rob]

Country Campers
Hi Brian,

Properly maintained bearings and races will last for a long time. If everything is well greased and correctly pre-loaded, there will be virtually no wear. We are dealing with “antique” technology with serviceable and hand packed bearings, but the interaction between bearings and races is essentially the same as modern sealed bearings which last for hundreds of thousands of miles.

Unless there are signs of over heating (discolored) or contamination (scoring) or damage to the bearing cages . . . it is better to reuse a bearing that is obviously properly fitted, than to install a new one (in my opinion).

Rob

[jamieline]

How are you putting the @ in?

Brian,

These are not original bearings. Installed disc brakes a couple of years ago.
Never have had an issue.

I will look harder at my preload.

Jim

[Cate&Rob]

jamieline
Hi Jim,

The spindle nut should be barely finger tight. The process is to tighten the nut to 50 lb-ft while turning the hub to make sure that the races and bearings are properly seated an all extra grease is squeezed out. Then loosen the nut until there is a very small amount of perceptible “play” in the hub. The reason for this is that all the components will expand slightly as they come up to operating temperature. If you were to re-check this hub that had a small amount of play when cold, when it is at running temperature, there will be no play.

Rob

[howson]

How are you putting the @ in?

Type the @ symbol and then slowly type the first three characters of the individual's forum name. A list should pop up for you to choose the right person, like this: jamieline

[jamieline]

howson Thanks

Rob, didn't seem to work with yours.
Thanks for the information. Going to look closer at how I preload. Might be the issue. I looked around for some videos and found one with similar marks. Not sure I would reuse like he did.
I am replacing all the bearings.

Jikm

[Cate&Rob]

jamieline
Hi Jim,

The most difficult part of replacing the bearings is getting the old races out of the hub and pressing the new races in. The races must be replaced if you replace the bearings. Unless you have the tools for this, consider taking your hubs and new races to an automotive machine shop to get this done.

Rob

[TucsonJim]

I replaced all my bearings and races with Timken brand. I've grown to trust Timken as one of the better bearing manufacturers out there.

JIm

[ThePowells]

One trick to make getting the races in a little easier is to put the races in a freezer for a few hours and when ready, put them into a large cup of ice, then warm the hub at the race seat, then pop that puppy in using either brass, wood, or heaven forbid an actual race tool.

[jamieline]

TucsonJim Jim, that is what I have read. Hearing you have had good luck with them I will move that way.

@Cate&Rob Doesn't want to work for me.
I have had good luck replacing the races and do it when bearings are replaced.

Jim

[howson]

@Cate&Rob Doesn't want to work for me.

Another way to tag is to use the format
{USER="5"}Cate&Rob{/USER} Replace the { and } brackets with [ and ] to get it to work.

The key is knowing the individuals user ID. To find that, click on their name in any post to bring up their profile. Their ID is in the URL. (So Rob's ID is 5. Yours is 360.)