I put an axle carier that has a grease fitting on and filled it for the first time and I went through 2 tubes of grease. I have a smaller grease gun and the tubes are about 7 inches but none oozed out, is there that much open space around the axle & bearings in there? Anyone else experience this?

 

Many years ago I went with a RAD Bearing carrier. From what I remember there was a lot of dead space and yes it did take a lot grease.

 

Do ya happen to remember what happened whe she was full? Did grease come out anywhere? Thanks!

 

Its been so long I don't recall if grease came out of the seals when it was full or not. I would imagine that if the grease gun got really hard to pump any more grease in then it would be full. If you are not sure it if is full I would pump in as much as you can, let it sit over night, turn the axle by hand a few times, maybe even warm the carrier up a bit with a hair drier if its really cold in you garage, then try to pump some more grease in there. Last thing you want are any dry spots in there.

 

I hear ya, I filled her up with two tubes but ran out & there was still no resistance so I figure I'll pump some more in when I get it. So when I do get it full to the point of resistance the grease should be pressed into the bearings themselves, correct. And this should extend my bearing life considerably, no? I sure hope so because I've been having to replace them yearly and not just because they are a bit dry, the wheel almost locks up and the bearings pretty much fall out in pieces.

 

We have the same problem when we are riding a lot. We are doing all 3 of our bikes every year or year and a half depending on how much ride time we have on them.

 

I got sick or replacing bearings as well, last time they went i was goin 75 km/h and they locked up. Last time i had it appart i put a zerk in the carrier and then drilled a hole in the back of the swing arm that lines up exactly with the zerk. I drilled and tapped the hole to fit a 1/2 inch pipe plug. Grease gun head fits perfect and all i have to do is loosen the swing arm bolts and turn the carrier until its infront of the hole and pump her full. It does take alot of grease though.

 

just my 2 cents... you are packing the bearing before you install them into the carrier?????????? hope so.. you will not get enough preasure with the grease gun to properly fill the bearings. you guys must ride ALOT to have to replace your bearings every year. I thought i rode alot, most of our rides are 100+ miles a day. i got 3 1/2 years on the factory bearing and changed the cause i thought i should. the stock carrier takes a little over 1 large tube. i pre filled my carrier before i closed it up and then finnished through the zerk fitting.

 

Yeah, I packed them before installation, just amazed at how much grease there is room for afterwards. I think my problem with bearing life is constant high speed riding, all I ride is 4th & 5th gear and I am geared 16/35 with 22" tires. That's pretty tall, combined with 70mph+ average speeds probably builds a god bit of heat in there.