confused about grease fitting on rims

[peejster]

I purchased some 4" rims with built in bearings from OMBWarehouse. They came with a built in grease fitting. I assumed this was for greasing the bearings. But, it appears that the bearings are sealed. The grease fitting opens into the center section of the rim between the bearings. So, if I add grease through the fittings, the grease is coming out around the bolt which the wheel slides onto on the steering spindle.

Why would I want to grease the bolt? Because of the bearings on either end of the rim, the inner part of the rim makes no contact with the bolt on the spindle.

It maybe an obvious answer but it's not coming to me.

Here is a link to the rim:
https://www.ombwarehouse.com/-4-Whe...-4-Ball-Bearings-3-Hub-Length-2-1-2-Wide.html

Picture (hopefully) attached.

Thanks
Peejster

 

[mckutzy]

That is a good question...
However... Those bearing aren't sealed... They can be greased... But typically they are for use in lower speed applications.. Or cheap use..

 

[peejster]

However... Those bearing aren't sealed... They can be greased...

How do I grease them. I haven't yanked on them but are they easily removed from the rim so that I can get at the bearings to grease them?

Thanks

 

[chancer]

Low speed lawn tractor wheels have a Bushing instead of a bearing. They need to be greased so there is a grease fitting.
I dunno why your wheels would have that.

 

[mckutzy]

Step 1- Measure the OD of the current bearings and find a matching sealed unit with ZZ or 2rs(2 rubber shield) shields on them....

Step 2- Huck the old ones in the trash....... {also... as far as one can will also do(be careful of bystanders and the like.... throwing metal objects can result in serious injury and or death)}

 

[Hellion]

I can't believe such an auspicious outfit like OMB would sell those, much less promote them as suitable for a powered recreational vehicle.

Those are for low speed applications, carts (not karts) and riding lawnmowers in a pinch.

The grease fitting is indeed for lubricating (and sealing) the spindle and/or the area inside the wheel between the two bearings.

 

[chancer]

I can't believe such an auspicious outfit like OMB would sell those.

More like Suspicious outfit.
What would you expect from a place the says you need a Billet Flywheel and Billet Rod just to remove a Governor.

They obviously just like to sell parts. Apparently no matter the quality.

 

[steved]

Ummm, just because those have metal seals doesn't mean they are low quality low speed bearings...I have metal seal bearings (exactly like that) on equipment older than most of you that are still tight.

Seals don't make the bearing...

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[kenworth85]

GPS sells the same wheels

---------- Post added at 07:15 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:05 PM ----------

I took the seal out of the inside of both bearings and grease it before its rode. I want it to be safe. If I'm doing wrong please tell me.

 

[steved]

GPS sells the same wheels

---------- Post added at 07:15 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:05 PM ----------

I took the seal out of the inside of both bearings and grease it before its rode. I want it to be safe. If I'm doing wrong please tell me.

That's what I would have done...that way the grease can get in there from the zerk.

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[kenworth85]

Yea it seems to work good. Kinda like I think you call them buddy bearing on trailers.

---------- Post added at 07:43 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:40 PM ----------

I got bearings at GPS also I thought they sold only quality bearings

 

[mckutzy]

No... "seals" are a misnomer on those bearings. They have a side "shield" that retains the bearings with their cages...
The outer races a stamped/pressed sheet metal ... Inner are a short tube with a groove that the bearings revolve around in...

 

[Hellion]

GPS sells the same wheels

Say it isn't so! Oh noo.

Well, nobody's perfect. I've seen bearing types around before. Instead of deriding them again, I will just say they are definitely on the low end of quality and price. Call them economy bearings versus the "precision" type. What I don't like about them, is they have a lot of play and are sloppy even when new.

Economy bearings:

 

[steved]

There are shielded bearings that look just like those in the picture that are high quality bearings.

I'm done here...

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[OzFab]

I took the seal out of the inside of both bearings and grease it before its rode. I want it to be safe. If I'm doing wrong please tell me.

Not sure about elsewhere but, over here, the covers are AKA dust covers; not only to keep lube in but, to keep grit out...

 

[peejster]

Yeah, I am not too impressed. I put my fingers into the center of the rim on each side to "grip" the bearings and then gave the rim a spin - I don't even get 1/2 a revolution.

Very disappointed with my purchase.