how to re-oil bearings???

[Animeboy123]

Well how???



Thanks, The Wandering samurai

[Needforspeed368]

First, I need to verify you have the "bearings" I'm thinking you're talking about. Most people refer to ball-bearings as Bearings, but I've heard bushings called bearings before. A Ball bearing is two pieces of round metal seperated by balls, held in by a retaining "washer". A Bushing (sometimes a "bearing") is just two pieces of round metal that rub together, lubricated by grease. Ball bearings are most common now days, but some kits still include bushings on specific stearing components and other parts.

If you do indeed have BALL-Bearings....then here's the info you want:

RPM Products makes a tool called the "Bearing Blaster". It's a small enclosure for bearings that allows you to inject any bearing cleaner to thoroughly clean the insides of the bearing. It's cheap, small, and WORKS! Hobby Town usually carries them for under $10...I think I got mine for $8.99.
http://www.rpmrcproducts.com/products/tools/pics/hires/8117.jpg

Here's the website:
http://www.rpmrcproducts.com/products/tools/fixtools.htm#blaster


If you want to stray away from that and go the more "SCIENTIFIC" method...you can purchase an "ultra-sonic" Jewelry cleaner at most department stores. I got mine at a closing Sears in the area for under $25. If you ever walk by a Zales or other Jewelry stores in a mall, you'll notice a high-pitched-sounding sound, and if you ask, they'll let you see the ultra-sonic cleaner. It's a device that creates a very fast vibration in cleaning fluids to penetrate the item being cleaned, and usually does a GREAT job on bearings and small parts. If you get one of these, you can use it for engine parts and anything else you can think of that needs a cleaning (including jewelry...it worked great on my fossil watch!)

Here's a high-dollar example I found through google:

http://www.sharperimagebest.com/si414.html

The only other method for thoroughly cleaning ball bearings is to dissassemble them and clean all the insides. This isn't worth the time and effort, and you'd be better off buying new bearings to replace them instead.

[KevanB]

I got a used xxx-s, with metal shielded bearings. But it was only shielded on one side, the side that is enclosed, so cleaning it is VERY easy, so is relubing.
Can I remove the metal shielding on any old bearing? How?

How do you re-oil metal shielded bearings?

[Needforspeed368]

The metal shield usually has a small break in it, perfect for wedging the tip of an X-Acto knife blade under to pry the retaining clip out. If that doesn't work, it may not be possible. Check both sides for a break in the shield and try to pry it out.