Make small circles from the inside to the outside of the bearing, this will prevent dust from entering the cage under the flanges.
Finish by removing the excess fat with paper towels
Tip: To clean the bore (the center hole, you can bend a corner of paper towel to make a point and thread the bearing on it, it will remove the dirt quickly. You can choose the Aire Velo Bearings now.
Check the type of bearing
Then you have to check that your bearing whether removable or not. In the past, there were a lot of indications on the surface of the flanges indicating the type of bearing, but marketing requires, the flanges have become advertising panels where useful information has often disappeared!
Dismantling the flanges
For metal flanges, the circlips (open metal rings in the shape of a C) must be removed by lifting one end using the needle. The operation can be long and painstaking but necessary if the bearings are really dirty.
A quick inspection will allow you to judge the condition of the logs. If they start to rust your bearing is probably at the end of its life.
A dismantled roller bearing
Degreasing
Immerse the bearings in a sealed container filled with petroleum or “White-Spirit” (the latter can be corrosive to the bearings)
Vigorously shake the assembly to separate the impurities from the bearings, (protect your eyes in the event of splashes)
- Leave on for 5 minutes
- Take the bearings out of the liquid
- Place them on a paper towel that absorbs the liquid
Drying before lubrication
It is very important to dry the bearings well before lubricating them. Rotate the bearings around their axis, the centrifugal force ejects the degreaser. Finish drying with a paper towel.
Lubrication
It all depends on your use, the season and your financial means. If you are speeding, forget about the grease and opt for bearing oil or gel.
If you are backpacking and don’t want to bother too much with maintenance, go with grease, especially in the winter when it improves water proof ness. It will protect your bearings from bad weather and ensure a good lifespan.
You can use oil, but its fluidity being greater than that of grease, it protects the bearings less and requires more constant monitoring. You have to put it back more regularly
Advice: Whatever the lubricant, a few drops are enough. Never overload your bearings, they will disgorge the excess on the wheels, making them slippery. In addition, the grease fixes the dust.
Reassemble the bearing and remove excess lubricant
- Replace the flanges
- Refit the circlips
- Rotate the bearings between your fingers as fast as possible to eject excess lubricant
- The case of elastomeric flanged bearings
- In the case of elastomeric flanges, the task is simple and almost similar to the previous case:
- It suffices to insert the needle between the flanges and the central axis of the bearing.
- Leverage, go gently the flanges are flexible and fragile
- Lift, the flanges jump, there is no circlip
- A few tips to make your bearings easier to clean
- When it comes to bearing maintenance, everyone has their own recipes.
Degrease the bearings with a jar of pickle
Another simple solution can be used to avoid getting your fingers dirty by going to find the bearings at the bottom of the pot: keep your pickle jars to clean your bearings, with the small basket no need to dive into them anymore.
