Warning: Fractured Wheel Bearing

[SpudRider]

Several days ago I replaced the Shinko 244 tire on my rear wheel. I always inspect every part of the wheel every time I remove a wheel, or replace a tire. The rear hub has two bearings, and the bearing near the rear sprocket was completely fractured. I needed to cut the outer race of the fractured bearing with my dremel tool in order to remove it from the hub.

The bearing on the other side, near the brake rotor, was notchy, and ready to fail. I replaced both Chinese bearings with Japanese bearings, which I had in stock for the original hub of my Zongshen ZS200GY-2. The bearing in the sprocket carrier was in good condition.

The stock bearings have very little grease in them. I packed the new Japanese bearings with extra grease before I installed them. I have ridden over 13,000 miles on my RX3. However, I encourage everyone to check the wheel bearings, no matter how low your mileage. It is much easier to punch out a wheel bearing before it fractures.

I will post photographs of both Chinese bearings tomorrow.

[Juanro]

Spud, please post bearing size or code, thanks

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by Juanro

Spud, please post bearing size or code, thanks

Post Edited to Correct Errors

Since you are in Argentina, you might have an earlier version of the rear hub. It contains the following bearings.

Rear Hub Bearing Sizes

Rear Hub Bearing, Sprocket Side: 6202 2RS
Rear Hub Bearing, Brake Rotor Side: 6302 2RS

Sprocket Carrier Bearing: 6004 2RS

However, CSC, Cyclone RX3 motorcycles sold in the United States contain the following bearings.

Rear Hub Bearing Sizes

Rear Hub Bearing, Sprocket Side: Two 6202 2RS Bearings
Rear Hub Bearing, Brake Rotor Side: Two 6302 2RS Bearings

Sprocket Carrier Bearing: 6004 2RS

[Eco Mouse]

Originally Posted by SpudRider

Rear Hub Bearing Sizes

Rear Hub Bearing, Sprocket Side: 6202 2RS
Rear Hub Bearing, Brake Rotor Side: 6302 2RS

Sprocket Carrier Bearing: 6004 2RS

Do you have a link where I can buy the higher quality Japanese bearings?

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by Eco Mouse

Do you have a link where I can buy the higher quality Japanese bearings?

I bought mine years ago from Bearing Resource, but I don't think they are selling online any more. Check the following thread.

http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=5243

[Eco Mouse]

I found NACHI brand Japanese bearings on Amazon, in the sizes you listed. They were about $7 each, as opposed to $1 - $3 for the other brands.

What is the size for the front wheel? I'll just make a go of it, and buy all 5 right now.

[SpudRider]

If you replace a worn bearing before it fractures, you can easily remove it. I prefer to drive out wheel bearings using a Motion Pro bearing driver and split collet. The bearings in the rear wheel of the RX3 can be removed using the following parts.

http://www.motionpro.com/motorcycle/partno/08-0260/



http://www.motionpro.com/motorcycle/partno/08-0268/



Just in case someone hasn't used this method to remove wheel bearings, here's how it works.

[SpudRider]

I have bought individual drivers and split collets for the different sizes of wheel bearings in all my motorcycles. However, if I were buying the bearing drivers today, I would get the Pit Posse Motorcycle Wheel Bearing Remover Kit, PP-1692.

http://www.amazon.com/Pit-Posse-Moto.../dp/B005SUVQUK

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Motorcycle-W...ZyimIg&vxp=mtr

[SpudRider]

You can decipher the bearing code by reading the information at the following links.

http://www.gizmology.net/bearings.htm
http://www.mymachineinfo.com/2015/07...ion-guide.html
http://www.engineerstudent.co.uk/bea...explained.html
http://www.engineerstudent.co.uk/bea...plained_2.html

For example, a 6202 2RS bearing has the following features.

6 = Deep Groove Ball Bearing (Single row)
2 = Light Duty Bearing
02 = Inner Race Diameter of 15 mm
2RS = 2 Rubber Seals

[SpudRider]

Wheel bearings fail more quickly when they lack sufficient grease, and every wheel bearing I have examined suffers from this deficit. For example, here is a new wheel bearing I was going to install in one of my Honda motorcycles.



Therefore, I always pry off both rubber seals, and add more grease to the wheel bearing before I install it.

[SpudRider]

Using a bearing driver makes it much easier to remove old bearings.





Just make sure you get the correct size driver and collet for the bearings you wish to remove.

[Juanro]

Very complete information, thanks!

I use my own method to remove bearings, paraphrasing Homer Simpson, there's the right method (yours), the wrong method, and mine, it's like the wrong but slower and with lots of swearing!

[Lee R]

Thanks for the warning Spud. I'll replace mine on the first tire change as a precaution. I ride in lots of mud and water so the bearings probably won't last.

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by Juanro

Very complete information, thanks!

I use my own method to remove bearings, paraphrasing Homer Simpson, there's the right method (yours), the wrong method, and mine, it's like the wrong but slower and with lots of swearing!

[Juanro]

Lee, I do also, my bearings have 16K km on them and they're smooth as silk, but as you said it's cheap insurance to change them anyway.