Installing grease nipple to sbs'

[hooper1]

Hello all,

so the time came to change my sb66c bearings. I bought them from simply bearings, totally went for it- skf main bearings and 6 Enduro max for the rest. Wasn't cheap, made silverfish look reasonable! 

I had the usual problems, switch link filled with grime, bearings completely packed out with sludge etc. An excellent design for water retention, but it was easy to strip down. 

When I reassembled I stuck my grease gun into the hole where the bolt goes to stop the link over rotating. Pumped it full of grease and it got me thinking- why not modify that bolt somehow to do its main function and serve as a grease port? A narrow socket set could do it up, thus removing the Allen key and making way for a nipple. (Giggady)

I didn't bother with the big switch link rubber seals and if I did away with the 2rs on the bearing I could always push fresh grease through the system. 

Does anyone have any thoughts or problems with this? Something I've overseen? Or has anyone done it before? 

Lets hear your thoughts!

Cheers, ed

[Andrew]

Hi Ed

The proper yeti bearing kits are Enduro max bearings.

So buying from myself or silverfish is a cheaper way of getting those bearings. You can buy the 2 big bearings, these are the top spec Enduro bearings, and about £40, so quite good value compared to others.

I even tried stainless bearings, didn't last too long.

The Enduro ones are the best. They have good grease fitted at manufacture, so better than the oe ones that came in your frame ( the after market yeti kits have seen a massive increase in quality if bearings since I've been selling them)


As for greasing in the frame, will be quite a challenge. It's simply not designed in.

[Andrew]

If you ride without that bolt and rubber bumper, it will over rotate and your rear tyre will eat the back of your seat tube.

[hooper1]

I'm aware the OE spec is enduro max. I just fancied a change and skf have a good reputation. The skfs were not cheap- £30 each. I'll see how they last.

I don't see why a grease nipple won't work. It'll just take some nifty machining. Retaining the bump stop is the easy bit, I think it'll be tricker having the nipple and enough space for a socket to tighten up the actual bolt. The actual switch unit and location of the bearings would be perfect for a grease nipple.

[Andrew]

On some other bikes the inner bearing seal is removed and this allows grease to be pumped in, it also causes a few issues.

Any than that can improve sb bearings is worth a try!

[supertacky]

Nice idea... I'd be very interested in seeing this happen... Maintainance would be much easier... pump and wipe!