Is the bearing underneath the front axle seal good or bad? Am I paranoid?

[shybuck]

I started out replacing my front axle seals. The left side is finished but after I took apart the right side and took off the old seal I'm wondering if the bearing underneath is bad. And if it is, how do I take this knuckle apart? This is a BX2230. There are no metal pieces floating around. I'm not sure of the sound when I spin it. I can hear the roll of the spin, its' not a completely silent spin, maybe because there's no oil . Can someone tell me how to know when it should be replaced? Does anyone know how this is taken apart? Any help would be appreciated greatly.

 

[Fedup]

How did you clean the bearing(s)? If you washed them totally free of oil and dried them, they WILL make noise when spun. Add a few drops of clean oil to all the balls and try it again. Most importantly, can you move the inner race at all side to side or up and down in relation to the out race? ANY noticeable movement in a ball bearing is too much. Oil them and I think you will find they feel just fine.

 

[shybuck]

How did you clean the bearing(s)? If you washed them totally free of oil and dried them, they WILL make noise when spun. Add a few drops of clean oil to all the balls and try it again. Most importantly, can you move the inner race at all side to side or up and down in relation to the out race? ANY noticeable movement in a ball bearing is too much. Oil them and I think you will find they feel just fine.

I sprayed down all the bearings inside the knuckle with brake cleaner. A Lot of it. Then sprayed inside with some PB blaster lubricating oil. I will try moving the race up and down and side to side.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

heck you got it all apart, spend $20 , toss a new bearing in !

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

You have dried the living snot out of the bearings, it didn't hurt them, but extremely dry ball bearing will always sound rattled.
Check for movement off axis.

 

[shybuck]

You have dried the living snot out of the bearings, it didn't hurt them, but extremely dry ball bearing will always sound rattled.
Check for movement off axis.

Thanks I will check the axix alignment. There is oil on it now

 

[shybuck]

heck you got it all apart, spend $20 , toss a new bearing in !

it's not apart and still sits in it seat.

 

[armylifer]

Bearings and races are either good or bad. There is no in between. If there is no off axis movement and no pitting or scoring, then they are good. Since you cleaned all lubricant off them, be sure to lubricate them thoroughly before reassembly.

 

[shybuck]

How did you clean the bearing(s)? If you washed them totally free of oil and dried them, they WILL make noise when spun. Add a few drops of clean oil to all the balls and try it again. Most importantly, can you move the inner race at all side to side or up and down in relation to the out race? ANY noticeable movement in a ball bearing is too much. Oil them and I think you will find they feel just fine.

I've never worked with bearings since I'm not a mechanic, but your advice gave me an educated view on the state of these bearings. I added some drops of gear oil on to the bearing balls and spun. Quiet as a mouse without any action outside of the race. Thanks so much for your time. Saved me a headache. These tractors seem to be part of the family.

 

[shybuck]

Bearings and races are either good or bad. There is no in between. If there is no off axis movement and no pitting or scoring, then they are good. Since you cleaned all lubricant off them, be sure to lubricate them thoroughly before reassembly.

Thanks for your reply. I'm no mechanic but found out the bearing is good. Same one as when I bought the tractor 20 yrs ago. Good machinery always deserves good care.