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5/21/2017
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Shelby, NC
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Have a yz250 and go through wheel bearings like nobodies business. I’ve heard be careful with the pressure washer but I have a set of aftermarket wheels and I’ve replaced the fronts once in the past year and a half. I go through wheel bearings on my stock wheels every 15ish hours. Mainly my back but The front probably goes out every 25ish. Are stock wheels just not good? Or are my hubs messed up? If my hubs are bored out, can they be fixed or do I need to buy new hubs?
Make sure your bearings are a press fit in the hubs and not a slip fit. Your axles might be worn down.
Youre buying yamaha bearings and youre replacing the seals too right?
The Shop
1) lack of lube due to water contamination during washing
2) corrosion of races/balls due to water penetration (see above)
3) excessive side load from over tightening and smashing the inner distance collar (aluminum tube in the hub between the two bearings).
4) combination of any above
OP: I believe #3 is your issue. If the bearing crush tube (distance collar) has been smashed from repeatedly overtightening, or it's just old and fatigued, your bike will eat wheel bearings regularly. Changing bearing brands may buy time but they will still fail from the increased side load. My advice is to buy a new OEM wheel bearing bearing spacer (crush tube) and install with new bearings. Measure the old crush tube versus the new and I bet you'll see the old tube is shorter and pinching the bearings. Even .005-.007" puts a tremendous side load on the bearings and drastically reduces bearing life. This crush tube can be seen in the OEM parts diagram and is sandwiched directly between the bearings. It's sole purpose is to prevent side load on the bearings when the axle is tight. If you have aftermarket hubs, obviously you need a new crush tube from that manufacturer. Good luck!
If I had to assume, you have same axial play inducing a side load on the bearing. This could be from a worn hub race or bearings not seating straight in the race.
Make sure that when you are pressing in new bearings you have a driver that only contacts the outer race of the bearing. Pressing on the inner race and/or oil seals greatly decreases the life of a bearing.
And lastly, not all bearing are created equal. More than likely your local bearing house is going to sell you the cheapest Chinese match they can and they typically do not last long. OEM bearings are decent quality, so if you are sourcing a bearing locally you need to tell them you want a premium bearing like Timken, SKF, Peer, Etc.
OP, also make sure you aren't just cranking down the axle bolts. That won't help your issue either. Bust out a torque wrench.
The bearings could be binding too hard causing excess wear. That's my 2 cents just from reading your comments.
I would also buy new wheel spacers just to make sure everything is in spec.
Good luck and let us know!
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