What to grease when replacing bearings?
 

Recently discovered I have bad wheel bearings. Ordered all new parts. I cleaned all the old parts that get reused. I'm just wondering where/what should I grease when rebuilding the wheels with new bearings?

Do you put any grease on the wheel spacer that rides in the middle?

Do you grease the outside of the bearings bit to help with install or just use heat to expand the hub?

Anywhere else?


Thanks for helping a newb!

I'm interested in hearing how others do theirs too!

For me I never bother removing the bearing seals to pack extra grease. I just buy quality japanese bearings from a distributer/specialist shop. A light smear of grease in the hub, smear on the outer bearing and then slowly seat it by using a large socket on the outer race working around ensuring it presses in flat. The sound changes tone once seated. I usually then grease it up and put the seal in (thinking another barrier before the bearing). I change this grease when I change tyres. I never grease the internal spacer but can't see any harm in smearing some on it either. I have also found sump oil works very well on the axel. Slides in easy and comes out well too.

With new bearings i remove the seals and add grease,both side of the bearing,and install seals. I buy my bearings from a bearing supply house. A light coat of grease on the axle works for me.

Good luck

you can freeze the bearings too before applying them...

If it is a pre-greased bearing dont add grease, it will cause them to fail sooner. One of my customers is a bearing manufacture and the number one cause of failed bearings is over greasing. Best thing to do is to keeo the pressure washer off of them and find a good way to seal them.

I do the same thing, I ride in alot of axel deep water, I use thick maxium water proof grease as well.
My bearings last alot longer now that I fill them full of grease, the outer seals never seam to keep the water out, with the bearing full of grease theres less room for water.

I've heard this also from one of my suppliers and have not done it. That said my last set of rear wheel bearings on my ktm 450 are toast at only 5 rides since replacing. I went to a different supplier this time and if these dont last I may try filling them.

I don' t repack either and have no issues. My '07 has all the original bearings.

Use good STEEL spacers, or spacers with a steel ring wear surface.

Keep the gap between the bearing and seal packed with a good waterproof grease like Castrol Pyroplex Blue.

Every few rides pull the wheels, clean and regrease the seals.

No pressure washer.