Keep it greasy - how much is enough?

[salamander]

The Argo dealer suggested greasing the 2 nipples on each axle on the outside of the tub after every time swimming, to push any water out of the bearings that may have worked its way in. He says starting with the one closest to the tub and moving outward towards the wheels is the best way to remove water.

In your actual experience as AATVers, is it really necessary to grease these points after every time swimming?

[Roger S]

We're supposed to floss twice a day too..

After every swim is a little compulsive and labor intensive, maybe if you can get the grease gun in there without pulling wheels..

The inner zert lubes the bearing. The outer one fills a void between the two axle seals. A new machine in clear water will need a lot less attention than an older one with grooves worn in the axle seal surfaces and some bearing slop. The argo seal lips don't have a "garter" spring to hold the I.D. tight and the argo axles are so soft they get grooved by the seals with age and grit. You won't get much water out of a new machine if it's put together right, the opposite is true for worn bearings, seals, axle surfaces.

Of course the best thing to do is lube all the time. I do after every long hard weekend ride in nasty mudholes. I use better seals, like a normal oil seal, a double lip with a spring. Even on a grooved axle, I don't get any water(or grease) out of it when I put the grease gun to it.

[salamander]

Good answer. Thanks.

Modifications as described ^ seem like they would make greasing necessary less often.

Flossing twice a day is less important to me than keeping my Argo in top shape. Nice priorities eh?

After every swim is a little compulsive and labor intensive, maybe if you can get the grease gun in there without pulling wheels..

Wheel pulling being the issue. No way around it; the front wheels have to come off to grease the front axle on the Bigfoot...

[bearclaw46]

greasing bearings

Our dealer up here in Anchorage suggested greasing the inner & outer wheel bearings every 50 hrs. He was surprised to see the manual says every 100 hrs. I don't get it, I'm one that's always thought the more grease the better. 100 hrs seems to me a long time between grease and an invitation for squealing bearings. I'm going to take Roger S' advice and try to grease the inner one and outer one a couple shots of grease everytime I spend a lot of time in slop like I did Memorial Day weekend.

Dennis

[tracmaster]

How to grease wheels properly

I am confused... grease the seal fitting first or grease the wheel bearing first? or does it really matter..seems like greasing the wheel bearing first would prevent water from entering form the seal side when greased. holy Shi% now i am confused..anybody have the correct answer?

Tracmaster

[salamander]

from the inside out

You want to grease from the inside out so that if there is water in there; you are pushing it outwards with the grease. If you start on the outside and work your way in, you risk pushing and trapping water and crud in between where you don't want it to be.

[Rock Doctor]

I grease mine after each long ride (long ride=6-10 hrs). I also lube the chains quite a bit. Where I ride, I find that grass blades/reeds, ect get wound up tight on my axles and try to work there way into my seals. This can damage the seals and cause problems.

[Bw6]

Prevent Grass Around Axles

I never tried this but I remember a guy saying that he cut a piece of poly pipe just the right length to fill the gap between the bearing housing and the axle flange. The plastic pipe should just be a little bigger than your axle diameter. Simply cut it the full length and snap it on. When the grass/reeds etc. wind up on plastic pipe it just spins releasing the grass.

[Rock Doctor]

I never tried this but I remember a guy saying that he cut a piece of poly pipe just the right length to fill the gap between the bearing housing and the axle flange. The plastic pipe should just be a little bigger than your axle diameter. Simply cut it the full length and snap it on. When the grass/reeds etc. wind up on plastic pipe it just spins releasing the grass.

Hey, thanks for the tip, I believe I will try that one.