MO Predator Racer
Member
Has anyone on here ever ran or does run there rear bearings open on one side so you can spray them out and lube them at the races?
Always ran mine open, soaked with my favorite spray lube after each time on the track. Never had any troubles.Has anyone on here ever ran or does run there rear bearings open on one side so you can spray them out and lube them at the races?
I am trying to figure out if I should put the seals back on mine or run them open. A lot of people I know ru them open and spray them clean and lube them.
Really it is personal choice as to what you want to do. Personally, I never spent more than about $120 on a full set of bearings, so to me they were more of a disposable item. I ran mine with one seal in, the other side out, and when they got gritty I replace them. Anything cheaper than a set of tires is disposable IMHO.I am trying to figure out if I should put the seals back on mine or run them open. A lot of people I know ru them open and spray them clean and lube them.
Be aware of taking off and putting back on the rubber coverings. Over time after squishing them back in I found it created drag and actually slowed my axle down. I ended up changing seals out every couple races. But I was also doing this with everything attached. Disassemble everything and you'd probably have better angles to pick the rubbers off and not mess them up lol.
How often did you replace rear bearings when running them without the seal on one side?Really it is personal choice as to what you want to do. Personally, I never spent more than about $120 on a full set of bearings, so to me they were more of a disposable item. I ran mine with one seal in, the other side out, and when they got gritty I replace them. Anything cheaper than a set of tires is disposable IMHO.
I replaced them once a year. Typically over the off season. Old ones became the spare setHow often did you replace rear bearings when running them without the seal on one side?
Same here. For the cost of replacement bearings it isn't worth the extra work. I leave my bearings sealed as they are from the factory. They come off the kart when cleaning it so they never see water. As soon as one starts to drag the slightest bit I replace them.Really it is personal choice as to what you want to do. Personally, I never spent more than about $120 on a full set of bearings, so to me they were more of a disposable item. I ran mine with one seal in, the other side out, and when they got gritty I replace them. Anything cheaper than a set of tires is disposable IMHO.
If you remove your bearings every time you clean your kart is spending the extra 15 seconds to spray them with break cleaner and lube all that big a deal? my bearings spin faster with fresh lube and no seals than any new sealed bearing. to each his ownSame here. For the cost of replacement bearings it isn't worth the extra work. I leave my bearings sealed as they are from the factory. They come off the kart when cleaning it so they never see water. As soon as one starts to drag the slightest bit I replace them.
Think about how much time you are spending each week to clean bearings. I used to waste all that time also but not anymore!
Personally I maintain mine as follows, spray them out with WD40, and if I have it, spray in some of WD40 PFTE "Dry" lube. Done. Takes all of 30 seconds and they spin like crazy. The instant they start to drag, they go in the spares box for a new one.If you remove your bearings every time you clean your kart is spending the extra 15 seconds to spray them with break cleaner and lube all that big a deal? my bearings spin faster with fresh lube and no seals than any new sealed bearing. to each his own
I remove my axle and front hubs. I spray the bearings with WD-40 and wipe clean. I never remove the factory seals.If you remove your bearings every time you clean your kart is spending the extra 15 seconds to spray them with break cleaner and lube all that big a deal? my bearings spin faster with fresh lube and no seals than any new sealed bearing. to each his own
Yeaaaaaaaa I use a pick and kind of just go after it lol. I could definitely use more care for sure but wanted to let OP know that surprisingly those covers can cause more drag than you'd think on the bearings.I use the tip of a razor blade to pick the seals out and carefully wipe them. Havent had any issues distorting them when I use that versus a flat screw driver or pick.