TornadoGuy

What is the best way to clean ball bearings? What is the best lube for them?[sm=confused.gif]

773W

My Feedback: (1)

I heard about this awhile back, but never realy looked into it that much. https://www.speedtechrc.com/store/eb...id=393&id=7581

Barber420

My Feedback: (1)

That's kind of neat, but I've always just used brake clean and blasted it directly onto the bearing. Brake clean is cheap, you can buy it anywhere, and it works great. After I've cleaned them I relube them with an oil called Tri-Flow. I buy it from my local bike shop. It's perfect for lubing anything on RC cars. Dirt doesn't really stick to it, it makes everything real slick, and it lasts a long time.

Chris_RC

The best way of bearing cleaning is to take the shield off the bearings, use motor spray or nitro cleaner in RPM bearing blaster, and use light bearing oil for diff parts (trinity bearing oil) and heavier oil like 3 in 1 oil for bearings like the bearings in the hub carriers.

Never tried [link=http://www.teamfasteddy.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=2932& zenid=8bc4df0c7173ef082f902b74e5a6e14a]THIS[/link] but Team Fast Eddy has some good products.

TornadoGuy

All the methods sound good. Thanks for the replies.[sm=cool.gif]

Technex

I use Lightning heli lube from Readyheli. I also use "The Greaser" tool from Readyheli, both work excellent.

If I am just cleaning out a old used but clean bearing I tend to just squeeze new grease into them. If it looks dirty I will soak in WD40 and blast 'em and then relube.

TornadoGuy

Sounds good Technex![sm=biggrin.gif]

Technex

If you want P.M me for links to each product. Or a simple google search for Readyheli and you'll be on your way. Best shop ever.

TornadoGuy

Cool![sm=cool.gif]

compwizkid

How often should you clean bearings? I was thinking after runs in dirt tracks or real dusty areas, or water but i dont do water.

Barber420

My Feedback: (1)

I only clean mine once every couple of weeks if that, and they've lasted 17 years. My front tires will still spin for MINUTES if I spin them!!!!

compwizkid

mine won't =[ but i have 4 wheel drive lol

TornadoGuy

I never cleaned my bearings yet because I only run my car on clean, just paved pavement.

Chris_RC

You are suppose to clean your bearings when you are doing you normal maintence taking apart your car and you notice that at least 1 bearing is a little griity when you spin it. That is when you clean them. If you run on pavement that doesnt mean you never have to relube them.

Technex

I only tend to clean bearings when I have them out and they feel in anyway gritty (not very often), normally it's to late by then and I just replace it all. I use rubber sealed, helps tons. You'll find that many bearings do not come pre-greased, quite a surprise even though it's new.

TornadoGuy

Thanks everybody for the helpful responses. Appreciate it.[sm=cool.gif]

dacaur

I wouldn't clean a shielded bearing unless you can for sure see you need to (its gritty). A new bearing will work great for a LOOOOONG time with no maintenance under normal conditions, but once you remove the shield and clean and lube a bearing, you need to make it part of your normal maintenance, since it will need to be cleaned/relubed fairly often after that.

When one of my bearings goes bad, I replace it with a rubber sealed bearing, other than that I dont think about them...not worth the hassle...

TornadoGuy

Useful tip dacaur, Appreciate it.[sm=cool.gif]

compwizkid

How much are new sealed bearings running?

Sugafree

Most are about a Buck each at http://www.avidrc.com/

dacaur

depends on where you get them... You can end up paying anywhere from $1-$5 or more a piece... one of the hobby shops near me buys them in bulk, and sells them for $1-$2 each... just remember that you dont HAVE to get bearings that are labeled as being for your specific vehicle... you just need to know the bearing size. like 8x16x5, would be 8mm inside diameter, 10mm outside diameter, and 5mm thick.... generally buying more at once is a better deal, and buying a tube of the same size will almost always be a better deal than buying a "Kit" made for your vehicle... You can get a tube of most sizes (rubber sealed) for around $10.

46u

My Feedback: (3)

For the most part I run rubber sealed bearings on my off road RC vehciles and just wipe off the outside. Since bearings are only .90 to 1.00 I just replace them when they get feeling gritty or rough. I feel it is just cheaper then what time it takes as well as the cleaners and oils.

jester4

The "greaser" is great as mentioned abouve. When you press the grease, you actually force the old grease out and new in. Works well, even on rubber sealed although it required a more force. I made my own "greaser", but I have access to a lathe