bearing extenion

[garretttpe]

Hi All

I have an idea about bearing extensions and want to run by you all to see if it seems like a good idea, I am looking at using 6 inch dia UHMW and drilling a 1 1/4 dia hole in the center for the axel, then use a double lip axel seal cut into the UHMW to keep water, dust, dirt out. I would still keep the stock outer bearing where it is and cut the UHMW to fit over it.

I am thinking this will work as a synthetic bearing I have seen here and save me some money on buying extra bearings and bearing housings and still give me the support I need for when and if I put tracks on it and it will be easy to do.

Any thoughts?
Larry

[dgeiman]

I have seen what you are talking about. My only concern is that you have 5 inch long bolts doing all the supporting of the synthetic bearing I think with the bearing cages there would be less flexing in all directions because the of the steel construction of the bearing cage and shorter bolts. I am not saying that there would be no flex at all but that it would be less. I have just made some bearing cages for my machine but have not installed them yet I do not currently have tracks but am still considering getting them from all I have read about them there is a lot of stress on the drive train that being said I would think the more solid the axle is would be better. Just my 2 cents.

[Hideous 4x4]

I made up extensions for my Max a while back that sounds like what your going to do.



This is the thread on it.

http://www.6x6world.com/forums/max-atvs/35368-sealing-max-iv-synthetic-bearings.html

[dgeiman]

Hideous How do they hold up? I like that design it seems a lot simpler than the bearing cages.

[Hideous 4x4]

I have about 20 hrs on the extensions, just removed the tires and wheel yesterday. I did a visual check and checked for any play, they were still tight.
There are some folks on here that have used them a lot more and they say their holding up great. I think that if I were to do it again I would machine a spot for a
ball bearing behind the seal. I don't like the idea of using grease to keep water out thats why I used a water tight seal on the outside.

[garretttpe]

Awesome guys
thanks for the response and link

[dgeiman]

THANKS for the info Hideous.