Cleaning Bearings

[StarvingHyena]

Originally Posted by Iowa Dave

For years I have used a soup can from like Progresso soup. Put about an inch of gasoline in the can and drop the bearing in. Use a pencil or a stick to put in the middle of the bearing and swirl it around the edge of the can. The old grease will flush out pretty quickly. Then inspect and dry off with a shop towel or a rag or whatever. Set in the sun for a few minutes to let the last of the gas evaporate. Do not use an air compressor to spin the bearing. Once clean check for play, pitting, deep scratches. If the bearing is discolored ( Blue ish) it’s been hot. If any of these conditions are present, buy a new bearing. That’s what I have done for 50 years and never had a bearing failure so I’m not changing now.
Iowa Dave

Do you have to pour out the soup first?

Tom

[Iowa Dave]

Not if it’s the real thin cheap stuff but Clam Chowder is kind of a pain.
Iowa Dave

[RicVic]

Hi Ron, I’ve seen bearings come apart when being spun with air pressure and head down the street at a high rate of speed, sparking all the way. Kind of like fireworks if its dark. The only thing I had left was the inner part of the bearing. I like the reving sound too. Don’t spin the bearing Ron, at least, not toooo fast.

[Ron in BC]

My bearings are all done. Don't ask, don't tell.

I just pack them. I don't add grease with the E-Z lube. I've seen too many grease contaminated brake shoes and I don't plan on backing my wheels into water anytime soon.

Ron

[Oldtimer]

Originally Posted by Chotch

☹️ Right, several times faster than it was ever designed to go 💣

Wellllll if the bearing can’t handle a few short burst of air then they’re on good for paper weights. Must be Chinese imports

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by huskersteffy

Wondering why the E-Z lube feature would cause a bearing seal failure?

Because...

Originally Posted by Iowa Dave

Too much grease, pushes the seal out.

It's really too much grease pressure from someone cramming it in too hard, rather than an excessive quantity of grease. If you use the E-Z Lube feature, the hub cavity is always filled with grease, so whenever more is put in about the same amount comes out somewhere; the excess is supposed to come out the front. If you pump too hard and/or don't turn the hub while pumping and/or have a bad seal and/or have hardened grease blocking flow... then it blows out the rear seal (because the grease path goes there first) and contaminates your brake.