Splined axle bearing question

[Rusty-Gunn]

Hello, I am in the process of changing out the bearings to our 2005 M-IX. The outer bearing I have are the HC207-20R3.
There is a steel pin inserted into the grease hole. Does thus mean this bearing is considered completely sealed, and can not be greased?
Or do I pull out this steel pin and line it up with the zerk? Thanks.

Unrelated rant... I ordered the wrong inner bearings. The Buffalo Bearing rep asked if my axles used the smaller bore bearings, or larger. I confessed I didn't know, and told him to send the larger 72mm. Well' my axles are turned down smaller on the ends.
I'll contact Buffalo Bearing and ask if I can trade them out.

[Rusty-Gunn]

Regarding flanges... My inner flanges have some sort of gasket between them.
Can I used those rolls of make-a-gasket cork material as a substitute?
Or Silicone from a tube?


Our local store only had Ace Rope Caulk, not 3M Strip Caulk that Mike recommends in his axle vid.
They haf DAP Auto -Marine Sealant 100% RTV Silicone, so I bought it to used on the outer flanges.
Is this suitable?

I was told I would need to drill new holes in the flanges, but how do I drill square holes? Am I supposed to file them square?
I think these may be returned, as well.

ThankYou.

[Canadian_Zuk]

The steel pin gets pulled from the bearing prior to install. You should be able tograb a hold of it well enough with a set of side cutters. Silicone from a tube will work fine but the strip caulk makes the job a lot easier and less messy. My favorite sealant is "Right Stuff", it is about 2-3x the price of regular automotive silicone sealant but works 100% of the time. The nicest thing about Right Stuff is you can put it into service as soon as the bolts are torqued down, you do not have to wait for it to cure.

[tbone9]

Do what Zuk says. The pin is for alignment in a cast flange which we don't have. You can grind or file it flush also. There is a grease hole in the bearing that you can try to line up with the zerk. The square holes in the flanges are just stamped that way for other applications. Just drill the fourth hole to match if if you decide to use new.

[Rusty-Gunn]

Thanks guys. I'll pull that pin out, easy enough (or file it flat).

I don't mind waiting for the sikicone to set, I'm not in a deep hurry to ride.

Square holes don't matter, got it. I think I will use new flanges then. I do have a drill press so I should drill then accurate. I do appreciate it.

If I have any more questions I'll post them here.

Thanjs Zuk and Tbone, you guys gave me some breathing room here.

[Rusty-Gunn]

Regarding me ordering the wrong inner bearings...

Greg at Buffalo Bearing helped me identify the correct inner bearing (one inch bore, not 1.25 inch as I mistakenly ordered) and he well exchange these wrong ones for the correct ones. He's even sending the correct ones before he gets these back. Awesome service. Very impressed.

I highly recommend Buffal Bearing: 716-874-1720

[hydromike]

Had they begun turning down the inner end of the axle to 1" by 2005? All of the Max IV axles I've been using have been 1-1/16" on the inboard bearing, which I turn down to 1" to use in a couple of the racers. I'm certainly no expert on when Max changed over anything; just trying to make sure you get the right parts this time.

[Rusty-Gunn]

I merely used a steel ruler and eye balled it. It looked one inch.

Is it really supposed to be 1 and 1/16 inch?

Edit... I took a better look at the axle end, and it does indeed look like 1-1/16.
I just called Greg at Buffalo Bearing and he will modify the order.
Thank you, Mike. I'm glad there are people on this site that care enough to help newbies learn. Thank you.

[Rusty-Gunn]

Yippee! We got the axle installed. We are very pleased. It took a lot of work, some confusion, and some frustration. This is how to learn it, though. We are thinking to remove the left rear axle later, after dinner, and replace the bearings and sprocket tube. This side ought to be quicker and easier, now that we know how.
Thank you all for the help and advice.

[tbone9]

Glad it worked out for you. Like Hydro says it is 1 1/16 for the inners. The bearing number is UC 206-17

[Rusty-Gunn]

We got the axle out, bearing and collar cut off. This time it was faster. I'll clean up the axle and deburr the splines whete the sprocket tube goes.
We figure to install the axle tomorrow.

[Rusty-Gunn]

The axle is now ready. I have new outer flanges, but these need two holes drilled to mount. I'll use my drill press to make these holes, using old flanges as a template.

I put some photos in my gallery.

[akcrawler]

Rusty,

You are becoming expert on these machines. Thank you for the update.

[Rusty-Gunn]

Rusty,

You are becoming expert on these machines. Thank you for the update.

Working on the Max is actually enjoyable. It can get confusing at times, but it helps to have others explain it. Besides, if we breakdown out on the trail I can possibly fix it. Another thing, my wife enjoys it, too. Shes my 'panic mechanic'. When things go bad at the worst possible moment, she jumps right in there . Shes not afraid to get her skirt dirty.

[Rusty-Gunn]

Task complete. We got the axle back in, with new outer bearing, flanges, and sprocket tube.
Due to ordering the wrong inner bearings we are using the older ones (correct ones being sent to me today) . These inners feel tight. They roll with a feel of new ones. I figure I can trade them out once they go bad.

Next week we will check the bearings on the other axles. I got other commitments, and left eye surgury come Monday.

This was a lot of work, but we got it done.