greasing argo bearings

[Old Tucker]

How many of you are like me, grease your bearings almost after every use.
Well this is what I have found. INNER BEARINGS I used to bend over the side and pump a little grease into the bearing until I saw a little bit of new grease coming out the side. {Well} I could be greasing all day and still not get any grease into the bearing.
As we all know the inner bearing is between an inner flange and outer greaseabo flange. The bearing has a hole in it to allow the grease into the bearing.
IT,S A GREAT IDEA ON PAPER.
But As we all know the grease takes the path of least resistance So if the flange is bent even a little bit could be from fatigue or ware. The grease will not enter the bearing.
All you will be doing is greasing the outer race and flange.
To check this on your bearings. Clean off the flanges and pump a little grease in. If the grease comes out between the flange and outer race. You can grease all day if you want and not get any grease into the bearing.
When the dealer hits you with a big bill to change your bearings and tells you it because of lack of maintenance. He is right. You have been greasing the flange and outer race, Not the bearing.
All in all, the flanges are to thin and bend to ease to per vide proper support for the bearing.
The only way to grease the bearing is to remove it from the flanges and grease it with a needle. BIG PAIN IN THE ASS IF YOU ASK ME.
I take it That is way they like to sell you bearings and say it just lack of maintenance. In stead of having a recall on a bad flange designed.
The outer bearings are a little better because of the solid cast bearing support
2002 conquest.

[Mitchell]

I have been redoing the outer bearing on a BigFoot (250 hrs), and I have been finding that the grease holes provided in the original and replacement bearings do not and cannot line up with the grease fitting of the outer flange. When installed with the bearing collar facing the inside (as per service manual), the inside flange of the bearing covers up the grease hole. Essentially you are installing a sealed bearing. In addition when I examined the old bearings, all the grease holes were plugged with crud. That being said, I would probably guess that bearing life is governed more to nature of vehicle use/abuse than lack of lubrication..

[Old Tucker]

I have been redoing the outer bearing on a BigFoot (250 hrs), and I have been finding that the grease holes provided in the original and replacement bearings do not and cannot line up with the grease fitting of the outer flange. When installed with the bearing collar facing the inside (as per service manual), the inside flange of the bearing covers up the grease hole. Essentially you are installing a sealed bearing. In addition when I examined the old bearings, all the grease holes were plugged with crud. That being said, I would probably guess that bearing life is governed more to nature of vehicle use/abuse than lack of lubrication..

With that been said. And you find that the holes did not line up with grease fitting on flange and holes been plugged in bearing. I would say the bearing failed because of lack of lubrication. Because you could not grease it. If you could get clean new grease in the bearing it would last a very long time, I would think
Again it,s back to a bad flange.

[Slimpickin]

I don't grease the inside bearings. I do grease the outside bearings and seals about twice a year. If I have to replace a bearing I use ones that don't have the grease hole.
I've only replaced two in 270hrs since I got it.

Slim

[Slimpickin]

I also use a mixture of synthetic 90 gear oil and grease mixed with a paint mixer on the chains. I jack the machine up on one side and get it turning slow, then apply the mixture from a pop bottle and hold a paint brush on the chain to spread out the mixture. I know it's messy and collects dirt, but it's easy to jack up the front and wash everything down before greasing the machine. Also, I haven't had any trouble with rusted on bearings and sprockets. The bottom of the tub and framework is not rusted as well.

Slim

[Mike]

If you seal the flanges with some silicone before assembling them, the path of least resistance will no longer be between the flanges.