Grease for bearings?

[Ian H]

My sons bike was feeling a bit stiff so we decided to replace the bearings. The old ones were very rusty:

The new ones are obviously better:

But don't have much grease in them. Could I pack them with grease to make them last longer? I'm thinking more grease = less water.

What type of grease would be best? I tried some copper grease in one but it seems to have slowed it down. They won't ever spin, just 1/4 turn back and forth.

 

[Burnerman]

Use standard HMP bearing grease from a motor factor ( lithium if you like), don't pack it too full.
Copper slip isn't suitable for applications like this.
Avoid jet washing!
John

 

[Mottie]

As above. You can probably get a small tube from Halfords.

 

[motorbiking]

couldn't you get a sealed bearing?

Agree with lithium grease. A little tube is perfect. I'm afraid maintenance is one of those things that goes with MTBing. particularly in the winter. One of the reasons I got in to road cycling. I used to get through a set of pads once a month, 2 chains and a cassette each year and a crankset would be doing well to last 2 seasons.

 

[Ian H]

They are sealed but I popped it off to look inside.

I'll try the lithium grease, thanks

 

[Burnerman]

Wandering off topic once more.....I've opened a few ZZ bearings and found precious little lube inside
On bikes, jet washing is a huge killer.
John

 

[motorbiking]

For next time, I'd not take the seal off and just slap plenty in when you install it. The grease will protect the bearing better from the outside and work in a bit. They'll run better with the factory grease and an undisturbed seal as the seals are so easy to damage.

 

[Burnerman]

Once again, we are swamped by second rate materials from the Orient.....go for SKF or FAG bearings and all should be well.
John

 

[Ian H]

I've got the frame painted now (It was a women's bike but now a boys bike)

Do you think I need to clean the paint off where the bearings press in or will the bearing remove the paint itself?

 

[Burnerman]

Smart job that!
I'd be inclined to scrape the paint away, so that any residual paint doesn't pack behind the bearing as you push it in and maybe cause it to be a little out of alignment - probably a bit overkill though!
If the bearing is a little slack, then use a Loctite product or similar to hold it.
If the frame was powder coated, it would be essential to remove the coating.
John

 

[Ian H]

Thanks, one of mates sprays cars so he did it for us.

I'll try and scrape it out with a blade

 

[motorbiking]

Personally I wouldn't bother, I'd just pop a bit of grease in there.

I'm curious as to how you got the old ones out. Do you have a bearing puller? They are normally a b**ch due to the stupid ring. If you don't have one and want to make sure they go in evenly, I personally find a long nut and bolt with a couple of socket set heads are ideal for squeezing the bearings in evenly. i.e. like this

Same idea works for the headset cones too.
Are you planning to service the forks and shock.. its worth doing and fairly easy.

 

[Ian H]

I sat them on a slightly larger socket then knocked them out from behind with a flat screwdriver. I had to Dremel 2 of them which crumbled and left the outer bit in the frame:

 

[motorbiking]

yep - I have that memory too.

 

[Ian H]

Jesus!!! Hard work or what, who thought bolting a pedal bike back together could be so frustrating