Front wheel bearings

[davamb]

Hey chaps,

my front wheel bearings started getting very noisy on the trip to Bega and back over the weekend and the wheel has play in it when you lift it off the ground, so new bearing time. A search here shows that the SKF part number is SKF 6203 - 2RS N/C3 but also mentions a seal. Mine have no seal other than the rubber one inherent in the bearing itself, so can someone please clarify what the setup is?

Thanks,
Dave,

[Mincehead]

Nope no seals, the 2RS means each bearing is sealed with two rubber seals / faces, they`re all you need.
Edit:

Actually disregard that pish and go with Con Rod`s information.

[Con Rod]

No, I disagree, the 2rs part is the shield on the bearing itself

there are also oil seals on the out side of each bearing.....not part of the bearing

you need 2, one on each side. seal sizes are 23-40-7

http://www.trx850.com/phpBB_forum/viewt ... =37&t=7422

seal.JPG

edit picture added

[Mincehead]

Ahaaa, yes you`re right Con Rod it`s been so long since I`ve viewed the wheels of my TRX closely I had forgotten.
But, with the bearings sealed by the rubber faces they`ll not loose their grease packing and in Aus you might find the seals superflous, ah but then the speedo drive fits snugly in one and the wheel spacer fits in the other so hmmm, perhaps I`m spouting sheite after all.
Many bikes over here run 2RS type wheel bearings without extra ouside seals and rarely encounter any issues though, even with the UK`s nasty (at times) weather.

[Con Rod]

yep the XN85 I have has just has the 2rs bearings

[davamb]

Thanks guys. Now I understand.

But, with the bearings sealed by the rubber faces they`ll not loose their grease packing and in Aus you might find the seals superfluous...

Hmm, dunno Mince, I replaced the front bearings not long after I bought the bike. Done about 25k kilometers since then, so maybe shouldn't complain. There were no oil seals present when I removed the old bearings - I'm certain of that. I reckon they wouldn't include them in the design if they weren't deemed necessary, so I will invest in some. We may not have salt, but we certainly have a lot of dry dusty roads. (Did 1400k over the weekend and all hot, dry and dusty!)

[alextrx850]

Wheel bearings are usually replaced when an ultimate failure has taken place ..sad, but understandable.
While most bearings these days have a long life being sealed, they need the help of the outer dust seal.
I have just fitted a new set of bearings to my yzf rear wheel after buying a new tyre with the bearings taking but a few min to fit,costing 66 dollars for the two new sealed bearings and the new dust seals from the CBC bearing outlet.
As to failure of bearings, i would suggest that pressure water washing into the bearing area and lack of use would be the greatest detriment.
While bearings have a long life and folks shouldnt panic,..keep them in mind.

[zednine]

Hello

My day job is manager of a bearing suppliers ( BSL ) and we sell many of these bearings

When buying new bearings dont get hung up on brand .... these days japanese or even unbranded bearings are all excellent . Use 2rs bearings although original fiment may have been unsealed or single sealed

No need to replace the seperate oil seals as they only act as dustguards so if they will go back in ok then use them

Chris

[bagmaker]

Ahaaa, yes you`re right Con Rod it`s been so long since I`ve viewed the wheels of my TRX closely I had forgotten.
But, with the bearings sealed by the rubber faces they`ll not loose their grease packing and in Aus you might find the seals superflous, ah but then the speedo drive fits snugly in one and the wheel spacer fits in the other so hmmm, perhaps I`m spouting sheite after all.
Many bikes over here run 2RS type wheel bearings without extra ouside seals and rarely encounter any issues though, even with the UK`s nasty (at times) weather.

Ya Mince but we have dust - its like the snow you have there but hotter, dryer and grittier. Tends to chop out seals pretty quick. The more lube you put on something -chains, seals, wimmins -the more dirt gets attracted and the quicker they get worn out.

On the upside it makes the (cold) beer taste REALLY good!

[Mincehead]

You wear your wimmin out? Feck me I`ve tried all my life to wear one out but the reality is, they just get sloppier.

[davamb]

As to failure of bearings, i would suggest that pressure water washing into the bearing area and lack of use would be the greatest detriment.

I had been thinking about that Alex, I do go a bit OTT with the Karcher at times. Will see if I can get generic seals as well. I imagine getting them from Yam will take months and cost squillions. Anyone have a spec or brand/part number?

[Mincehead]

Pssst, go back to the 3rd post on the thread.

[davamb]

Pssst, go back to the 3rd post on the thread.

Thanks Mince.

seal sizes are 23-40-7

(Presume that's ID, OD and thickness.)

[Mincehead]

You got it Simple steel rule or vernier measurements will suffice and you`ll be able to buy lip seals of the right metric sizes from many suppliers.
You`ll have companies like the one below in Australia too:

http://simplybearings.co.uk/shop/

[alextrx850]

As to failure of bearings, i would suggest that pressure water washing into the bearing area and lack of use would be the greatest detriment.

I had been thinking about that Alex, I do go a bit OTT with the Karcher at times. Will see if I can get generic seals as well. I imagine getting them from Yam will take months and cost squillions. Anyone have a spec or brand/part number?

Yes, Davamb,the water blasters are a great tool for cleaning bikes, however the as can be imagined and ive learnt from, the water will push into a bearing or a seal from your wheel bearing to the swing arm bush, switch block or wireing connector, and cause havock...i am one to spray can degrease, water blast at a distance and then go around the moveable joints with a little penetrating oil..
The bearings in my previous photo, i removed the sealed covers on the sides and soaked then i fuel for a while, the resulting fluid colour was a rusty , cruddy brown colour,..while the bearings ran well, clearly they were a possible for a failure....aaand, what i do with the caged bearing then is to spin the bearing up with my high pressure air blower to something about 40,000 rpm...which sounds like a jet turbine... and put it on the ground to tear up the driveway in a shower of sparks.