"Sealed" Bearings: Lubing?

Question

Quotes because I don't know enough to say that these bearings are truly sealed... but they have the rubbery rings around them.

viz:

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These are a couple of PTO quick-release adapters that had finally gotten so nasty that they were neither quick nor releasing.

So I disassembled them, let them soak in degreaser for a couple days, and went at them with a toothbrush.

Surprise, surprise.... I found that they each have a (pressed-in?...I can't make it budge) bearing whose lube the degreaser probably made history.

So I need to re-lube those bad boyz.

My kneejerk reaction is to take a razor blade or some other thin tool and gently pry the black rings off... then clean the balls, re-pack with grease, and then hope the black rings go back into place and stay there.

I know this isn't rocket science.... but these things take quite a beating and I'd rather not mess up the "sealed" aspect and have them fail prematurely.

Methodology? Are they really "Sealed"?

Bob_Villa · Accepted Answer

Yes, they are a sealed bearing...and you "can" open the seals, clean, and re-pack them. They may be noisy after that (if they were run dry) but they will give you some more time out of them!

dpb · Answer

... Ay-up, they is...(sealed that is ;) ) I suspect you'll do more damage in the longer run messing up the seals  than you'll help by adding lube--if they're difficult to get to I'd just  go ahead and replace them now if they're dry/rough to the hand roll  test.  If it's no big deal to get to them, I'd then just put 'em back  and wait for the failure first.

Tony Hwang · Answer

Hi, IMO, if sealed bearing is in need of lube job, maybe you can inject grease with a tiny pin hole without damaging the seals but isn't it a time for replacement? I don't want to run into a safety issue with a rejuvenated bearings.

Ashton Crusher · Answer

You can by a thin 'hypodermic" needle grease gun gizmo to use to shoot some grease under the seals if you can pry the edge up just a little.

(PeteCresswell) · Answer

Per Bob F:

Sounds like the consensus is "Replace Them".

All I need now is to find out how they are removed and the new ones put in place.

I'm thinking a piece of 2" dowel and a 5 lb mallet will get them out.... but pounding the new ones in doesn't ring true to me.

Or are they stuck in there just because of crud/time/corrosion and once the old ones are removed the new ones sound slide right in to place?

DerbyDad03 · Answer

...snip... ...snip... They can also be pretty expensive. I've used bearings like this in the past:

JAS · Answer

Just be sure that there is no retaining snap rings before you start pounding them out.

bob haller · Answer

use a press to install new bearings..... or take to local machine shop to get new bearings pressed on... pounding on them when new will lead to early failure

Bob_Villa · Answer

Pete, to add to my previous post...the seals are neoprene and metal, and po p-out fairly easily. I use a small springhook to get under the sealing lip  of it. I prefer not drying bearings with solvent and use a light spray oil  to clean them, blow them out, and use wheel bearing grease to repack. I've done this many times and they last...but may be a little noisy compare d to new!

"Sealed" Bearings: Lubing?

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