Upgrading and out of money

jvizzacc

jvizzacc

New member
Joined
Oct 25, 2004
Messages
162
Age
65
Location
Livonia, MI
Bad Idler Bearings - Help!!!!

OK, so this year I decided to fix up the ole' 97 Vmax 600 XTC. She's now 11 years old with all original parts and about 3000 miles. Got a new 1.25 Ripsaw and sent 4 shocks out to Bruce at Pioneer. Starting to put everything back together and I notice that there are several idler wheels with bad bearings. most turn but are wobbly, some don't turn at all.

Somewhere I read "Do not reassemble idler wheels with the old C-clip; always use a new one". So I sat down at a website and priced out all new bearings and new C-clips but NOT new wheels. This came to almost $250. With the shocks and the track I just put like $720 into this machine. I just do not have the money this year to put in an additional $250.

What am I risking by not changing the bearings? I expect this sled will only go about 2-400 miles this year. NEXT year I'll change out the bearings.

Thoughts anyone?

:letitsnow
 
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call me lucky but i've yet to change a skid wheel bearing,they never
seem to go bad anyway do just the real bad one's and run her,check
around should be able to find bearings at a cheaper cost then OEM...

the other one's try to shoot grease in them with a needle greaser..
 
Wow...250 for bearings! I only pay a couple of bucks each for mine. If you pull one of the bearings and take it to a place that specializes in them, they can usually match them for cheap. Works great for me. How much are you talking about per bearing? I have no idea if you should re-use the c-clip....but I do it. If there is no visable damage to it I dont see why you cant re-use it but I have been wrong before.
 
I have replaced every Bearing in the skids of my XT and DX since i bought them used the XT i used every C-clip over and the DX all but 2 they were not as strong as they should be i see nothing wrong with this on the idler wheels, you can see these one unlike a circlip on the piston. Bearing should only cost 4-8 bux each, some of the rear axle bearing get up around 10 i believe but they should not be more then that for the skid. I know from the XT when i did the track and skid components i came out close to $500 and that was for rebuilding the shocks, bushings, bearings, new 1" track, Driveshaft bearing, hi-fax etc...
 
Replace the bearings that are siezed and regrease the one that still spin unless they are really rough. Remove the seal with a thin blade slothead screwdriver, clean and regrease. Most of the bearing in that skid should be 6205's and the 2 upper bearings holding the track up should be 6004's if I'm not mistaken. You should be able to pick those bearings up for about $5 ea.
 
Awesome. yeah, OEM is 13-23 each and it really adds up. Good thought on taking it to a bearing place. I'll give that a try.

Thanks
 
jvizzacc said:
Awesome. yeah, OEM is 13-23 each and it really adds up. Good thought on taking it to a bearing place. I'll give that a try.

Thanks
Click to expand...


Yep, when you go, see if you can get NTN brand with the blue seals. Those seem to really last a long time. I would not have any issues with using a c clip over, provided it isnt obviously in need of replacement. I would bet the bearing place would have c clips as wellat much less than OEM pricing.
 
you can buy bearings at any napa or car quest there are two sizes in the ilders. I have all ways just pounded them out and replaced them unless the wheels wont let the clip lock in good. Or the none servicable like on 02 up I think.
 
Results: Here in metro Detroit we've a number of bearing supply places. I went to the nearest one with one of each of the bearings I needed. they carried the NTN brand. $10.91 each for both sizes. 9 bearings are $100. 5 days to receive cause they weren't in stock. Be putting it back together in about a week. But I think the NTN bearings will last longer than OEM so I should be good for a few years. Thanks all.

BTW I found the exact match here ..
http://www.recreationsupply.ca/pdf/2007-11_Slides.pdf
and they're only $4.95 each. [Top left corner of page 306] I suspect these are chinese cheapies that I don't want. Anyone ever buy bearings from recreational supply?
 
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