Hi all,

Yes, I know this is the Suzuki forum, same bike though.

Just replaced my rear axle bearings & dust seals this weekend. I used ones from a local bearing store as the agents were about 10 x more expensive. Ended paying about $ 10 for two bearings and seals from them over the counter. A pair of 6008's and 68 x 50 x 8.5 dust seals if you want to know

My question is simple, the garage manual says to lube the bearings' open face which is placed inwards to prevent dust. The old bearings were chewn up and had no inner dust seal from the factory, this seems normal. The new bearings are fully sealed & packed with lube off the shelf. Should I have pulled the dust cover out and add more grease?

I do trail riding and a bit of river crossings, was i right to leave the bearings totally sealed?

My local Suzuki agent was quite upset that I was not buying from him and said the aftermarket stuff will fail on first ride. The arrogance....


Well, winter she's coming and getting really chills in Johannesburg, South Africa.


Cheers!

 

Leave them alone and enjoy the ride. They are sealed for a reason don't know if I would of used them but heck give it a try let me know how it works.

 

Hi Zilla - Thrilla!

Would you have gone OE? If so, why?

I chose the aftermarket option to test durability and cost. Just wasn't sure why the factory pulled the one sealing face off the race cage and dispatch them unlubed.

I spoke to a few people in the bearing and sealing industry and they told me that a 6008 can handle forces and conditions far more extreme than a quad's worst conditions, assuming the grit and moisture don't get in. That would kill any bearing in it's tracks. Typical matter of over engineering by Suzuki / Kawa who built the Arctic Cat?

Sadly, I don't have them and forgot to take a picture as reference.

Will ride sometime soon, test ride seemed no prob's, will need long trip to be 110% sure.