Greasing Front Wheel Bearings

[Pooh_Bear]

I have to replace the front left side wheel bearings
on my 2001 Kodiak 4x4 400 Automatic.

I got the old ones out, one just fell apart.
I ordered a new set with new seals.

What is the best way to grease these before installing.

And what about after they are installed.
I see no way to add new grease later on.

This is what the receipt said.
I hope I got the right ones.
----------------------------
All Balls Front Wheel Bearing Kit
2001 Yamaha BIG BEAR 4X4 400

I may have questions when I install these.
Looks like it all just presses into place.

Thanks.

Pooh Bear

 

[allenr]

I'd drill and tap a thread in the hub between the two bearings and then fit a grease nipple (zerk?).

I've not found many bearings that don't last longer when greased from time to time, once a year should be often enough for your application.

Couple examples of my efforts attached. the second involved drilling a hole from the end of the shaft that mounts the bearings, then two holes in from the side, one to allow the grease in (nipple) and one to allow the grease out (between the bearings). Then welded up the hole at the end.

Hope the photos come out bid enough, don't know how to resize them.

 

[TOMMYHPX4X4]

if they are sealed bearings you just might be waisting your time putting in the grease fittings . the bearings are sealed to keep out water/mud/and anything else . when the bearing goes out it's because they just plain went out. i think all your gonna do is fill the inside the hub with grease and if you wanna do that all you gotta do it pack it with your hands before you install the other bearing. and another thing to think of is when the grease heats up and if it was to make it into the bearing it might just get some of the sand and dirt to go with it and act like sand paper on the ball bearings inside .there fore it will shortin up the bearing life . so i would check to see if it's a sealed bearing before putting in a grease fitting. 99.9% of the time grease fittings are good but sometimes on offroad atvs the bearings don't need them. if any of this makes sense.lol

 

[Pooh_Bear]

Here is what I know about them:

7 - O Ring
9 - Oil Seal
10 - Oil Seal
11 - Bearing
12 - Spacer

From looking at the old bearings, it looks to me like they are sealed on one side and the unsealed side goes to the inside. I guess the inner seals could have been chewed up when the bearings went out. I'll know more when the new bearings get here.

Thanks.

Pooh Bear

 

[TOMMYHPX4X4]

i see with that spacer it wouldn't do you much good to put a grease fitting the spacer would block it off. in most hubs they have a lip that the bearings sit into i think in your case it might just be better to put one bearing in then put the spacer and then before you put the other side on pack it full of grease then put the other bearing in. unless you drill through the spacer too but you would have to make sure the spacer is in the right position then drill it and flush out all the shavings.and even then i don't know if the grease fitting is long enough to go through the outer part and the spacer to hld it in place.

 

[Pooh_Bear]

I got the bearings today. They are totally sealed.
So I shouldn't have to worry about greasing them.

Gonna leave them in the freezer tonight
and press them in place tomorrow.
Freezing them should shrink them so
they can be pressed into place easier.

Thanks.

Pooh Bear

 

[TOMMYHPX4X4]

i don't think it would hurt to atleast hand pack the hubs with grease just to have something in there .all the extra grease will just quish out when you slide the shaft through them.