Greasing a new gimbal bearing

[otterby]

I just installed a new gimbal bearing in a SX-M. When I greased it the only grease that squeazed out was between the outside of the bearing race and the housing. Shouldn't the grease squeeze out between the bearing and the race first? I'm afraid the ring that rotates around the outside of the race rotated during installation and is now blocking the grease passage in the race. Is it typical to only have grease squeeze out around the bearing and the housing or do I need to get out the slide hammer again and get a new bearing ordered?

 

[dypcdiver]

Re: Greasing a new gimbal bearing

Did you line up the grease hole in the bearing with the housing? And to answer your your question, yes grease should squeeze out around the bearing race seals, which is why it is recommended that you grease it every year to displace the old grease with new. Sorry for the bad news!

 

[otterby]

Re: Greasing a new gimbal bearing

I marked where the hole was and it's lined up perfectly with the grease tube. I don't see how the ring on the outside could have rotated but that must be what happened.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Greasing a new gimbal bearing

Have someone pump the grease gun while you rotate the bearing. That is the best way to grease the entire bearing and you will feel the bearing become harder to turn as the bearing gets more grease into it.

 

[otterby]

Re: Greasing a new gimbal bearing

I pulled the bearing and the hole was lined up perfectly, maybe I just didn't pump enough grease. I installed a new bearing and when I greased it again grease came out between the housing and the bearing, I kept pumping and eventually grease squeezed out between the seals. However, I don't know what I did this time but now the bearing doesn't turn. It drove in harder than the first one but went in straight and I stopped driving when it hit bottom. So I get to destroy another new bearing with the slide hammer. Maybe the third time will be a charm.

 

[Don S]

Re: Greasing a new gimbal bearing

If you pulled the bearing with a slide hammer, you damaged it. You need a new bearing.

 

[dypcdiver]

Re: Greasing a new gimbal bearing

When you installed the second new bearing you did only hammer on the outside ring of the bearing didn't you?
Please don't be offended if this is obvious.

 

[otterby]

Re: Greasing a new gimbal bearing

Ya, I realize the bearing is shot now that I hammered it out. I did only hammer on the outside. I used the tool in the link below. Is there a better way to install the bearing? Like I said the last bearing drove in a little harder than the first but it's practiaclly impossible to get things crooked or bound up but it didn't turn once I got it in so I obviously did something wrong. When I removed it the inside of the bearing was twisted pretty good which I assumed happened when I hammered it out but when I beat it straight with a hammer it started to turn again. I don't see how it could have gotten twisted that bad when I installed it it fits perfectly snug on the install tool which goes easily and straight into the coupler keeping everything lined up.


http://www.ebay.com/itm/Alignment-B..._Accessories_Gear&hash=item484578745f&vxp=mtr

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Greasing a new gimbal bearing

Put the bearing in the freezer overnight next time. It will drive in much easier.

 

[QuadDriver]

Re: Greasing a new gimbal bearing

Or bail on the whole grease thing....there is a new part superceding all the others that is sealed - no more grease.

But if you must grease it, no-spin = poor distribution.