Cleaning/packing a go kart bearing

[VaultFan92]

Anyone have a good video or some advice on how to clean and re-pack a go kart bearing?

 

[Kenny_McCormic]

Most karts have sealed wheel bearings? Come to think about it, most everything uses sealed bearings now, last time I packed a wheel bearing was on a 80s camper, and it oddly enough used 60s Camaro bearings.

1. blast parts with brake clean to clean
2. blast parts with wd-40(so it doesn't flash rust)
2. let dry
4. pack with grease
5. reassemble

 

[Kaptain Krunch]

your average 1" axle bearing or 3/4 5/8 etc wheel bearing costs just a few bucks online, or maybe $10 at TSC, really not worth trying to re-pack. Those seals are very hard to get off without damaging.

 

[anderkart]

I clean and re-oil my karts axle bearings after every weeks race. I just leave the seals in place and spray brake cleaner (with the straw) in between the inner race and seal on each side of the bearings, then spray WD40 to help flush out the dirt, then use a blowgun/compressed air to help clean and dry everything. And then re-lube with motor oil. I spin the axle and treat each side of the bearings during each one of these steps.

 

[VaultFan92]

one of the seals on one side fell off so would it just be better to buy 2 new bearings? not sure if the seal will work again, its rubber though so i guess it would stick to the grease but not sure how well.

 

[Kaptain Krunch]

If you want a quick fix, spray it with brake cleaner, then wd40, pack it with some good grease, and epoxy the rubber seal back on. There is a good chance that the seal fell out because the bearing wore out of spec, and the wobbling cause the seal to wear.