As per subject. How often do you guys clean and re-grease your wheel bearings?
Ok, so you just visually inspect the bearings for dirt and grime? I admit, in over 2 years of flying I have yet to take mine apart and look at them
There probably isn't a one-size-fits-all answer to your question, but I suggest you take a look at your wheel bearings. If they are not showing any sign of wear, grease is still clean and hasn't started drying out, and you don't want to clean/repack every year, service the bearings and then service based on condition instead of time. But at least look at them each year. Some will say it doesn't take much more time to clean and regrease......so, whatever is your preference.
I've never found dirt and grit in my bearings but this could be dependent on where a particular plane is operated.
At risk of sounding like a childrens book; I follow Sam, Sam I follow I am....
(Sam is on my short list of "experts" that if I see respond to a post, I read it. Mel, Dan, Iron, Walt, etc... I read em....)
I pack them when the wheels are off if they need it. Out with the old grease, in with the new. I believe the bulk of any contaminant will depart with the old grease. I do completely clean and inspect them every few years.
So for you guys that seem to enjoy packing bearings...how often do you do the same for any other mechanized vehicles you own.
<crickets chirping>
Gotta agree with you in concept-----but most autos these days use sealed bearings.
Ahh but a little homework would keep you from wasting your time packing bearings.
http://www.antisplataero.com/Main_Wheel_Bearing_Mod.html
I think it cost me about $50 to get the amphib kit from Grove and make it work with a zerk on the axle.
While I'm at it...I re-engineered how the wheelpants are attached on my Rocket. I can have a wheelpant off in about 30 seconds, and at the same time the brackets are much more stout than stock.
It frustrates me that most homebuilders accept things as they are, and not try to improve servicability.
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/K5zurgQXOYYp3kSV-v5rLjsJKmiwbNgIO6imX_4U-Ac?feat=directlink
Bob, are those camlock receptacles I see in that photo? Got any more pix? Would love to see hi-res versions if you don't mind. Imitation being the sincerest form of flattery, and all that...
Yep they are camlocs. Since the support loads are entirely carrried by the back half, I used camlocs on the front so it can come off quickly.
Here are some old pics that don't show the intersection fairings which are now a part of the wheelpants.
https://picasaweb.google.com/108725548195997306977/WheelpantPics?authkey=Gv1sRgCLil3-T8krfg2AE
As far as comparing them to auto bearings, tough to do. Landing loads are something a car is not likely to experience.
(snipped) Landing loads are something a car is not likely to experience.
Indeed - an aircraft wheel accelerates from a dead stop to about 60kts in an extremely short time interval (fraction of a second?). And it does so often when the bearing grease is quite cold, having been sitting in a stationary wheel at altitude.
.....We never need to re-pack ours!!!!!!!
After the bearing modification you are good for 100K miles on the ground. Allan..
One question I have is landing on a beach airstrip, we have one up here I would like to fly to someday once I am flying. With the stock bearings I can remove the wheel clean and repack the bearings. What about the sealed bearing modification, do you just remove the wheel and wash to remove salt deposits, are the bearings truly sealed, not chance contamination on the inside?
Cheers