Axles greased, or dry?

[Paul_E_D]

So I just put a new sprocket on my bike, and the rear axle was extremely hard to get out. I thought for sure I'd be finding smoked bearings, but they are fine. There was just enough sand in there to make the axle bind. I had greased it and it was a sticky, sandy mess. Cleaned it all up and put it back together dry. At least the sand will be able to get out, or pulverised.

Any thoughts?

[ZX-12R]

I keep them dry and have never had an issue.

[Chippertheripper]

I use the lightest coat of grease I can finger on there. Just to keep the wet metals from bonding.
Because...well...it's routine.

Carry on.

[CBR929RE]

I've always greased them and never had a problem. maybe its because the extra gets pushed out to the chain side which always seems to get dirtier than the other side

[Paul_E_D]

I should say that I ride at a sand tracks a few days a week. there is no way to keep the stuff out of ANY orifice. Especially the wheel bearings and axles. Grease seems to suck it in!

[bstnsboy]

I use a lite coating of never-seize on mine. It seem's to keep everything free from corrosion.

[OreoGaborio]

there is no way to keep the stuff out of ANY orifice. Grease seems to suck it in!

[CBR929RE]

I should say that I ride at a sand tracks a few days a week. there is no way to keep the stuff out of ANY orifice. Especially the wheel bearings and axles. Grease seems to suck it in!

oh didn't even see this was in the dirty section

[Paul_E_D]

Wirelessly posted

And while we are on the subject, is the tube between the bearings supposed to be tight and spin with the bearings or not?

[maxim_X]

On dirty and street bikes I give them a spray with chain lube. It's tacky enough to stay until the next change and helps everything go in and out.

[Degsy]

Wirelessly posted

Wirelessly posted

And while we are on the subject, is the tube between the bearings supposed to be tight and spin with the bearings or not?

Not

[Paul_E_D]

ok, so there's one problem i have. I must have overseated the bearings a little. Gee it would be nice if that weren't possible. It's funny though The wheel spins forever without the chain on. Can't be much contact, if any there...

[typeone]

greased... and removed often for maintenance/cleaning.

[typeone]

didn't see your previous post on my phone... so what's going on? button all up and it wont spin?

[Paul_E_D]

No, it's all good. Just was really hard to get the axle out. Packed with sticky grease and sand as well as that tube being pinched between the bearings. Next time I do bearings I'll make sure they aren't as tight.

[typeone]

ah, got it. a thin coat of Maxima waterproof grease works great for me. tough areas to keep clean either way.

the WR has nice o-rings that fit on the wheel spacers, helps to keep the crud out. wonder if you could adapt something similar (?) prob not.

[typeone]

looks like you can pick up a set of watertight wheel spacers from Pivot Works. might help?

http://www.cyclebuy.com/shopping/piv...s/kawasaki.htm

[typeone]

[Paul_E_D]

Nice. But I don't even know what brand wheels I have. Not stock spacer sizes, and they are worn. Drat.

[csmutty]

That's weird. Usually the hubs are the same.

[Paul_E_D]

Mine have bigger balls (bearings)

[typeone]

that's right, forgot about that. i guess you could get precise measurements and try to find a match. bummer.

[Paul_E_D]

Yes, I should do that, cause mine are shot anyway...

[Degsy]

Wirelessly posted

When pressing in new bearings, the recesses are different. One is deep and one is shallow. The bearing in the shallow side sits all the way in. Then you drop in your spacer and press in the other bearing until it barely touches the spacer, but the spacer can still move. The spacer OD is slightly bigger than the axle, so the axle will fit if the spacer is slightly off center and is tight, but this will lead to jammed axles as the spacer touches the axle at one point and there is no grease space between axle and spacer at that point. :-).

[Sqzeplay74]

Wirelessly posted

When pressing in new bearings, the recesses are different. One is deep and one is shallow. The bearing in the shallow side sits all the way in. Then you drop in your spacer and press in the other bearing until it barely touches the spacer, but the spacer can still move. The spacer OD is slightly bigger than the axle, so the axle will fit if the spacer is slightly off center and is tight, but this will lead to jammed axles as the spacer touches the axle at one point and there is no grease space between axle and spacer at that point. :-).

Good to know!
I did see many AMA teams using a silicone spray then wipe excess off when prepping tire changes but that is road racing so not relevant i guess.