Greasing wheel bearings XR400

[Misfit]

Took the front wheel off my dads '01 xr400 the other day to grease the wheel bearings and we couldnt figure out how it came apart is there a clip or somthing that we have to take off?? ? Looked at my 650L front wheel and it looked about the same so were not actually sure how to get grease into the bearings. Anyone know ???

Thanx

Misfit

[CoreyClough]

They should be sealed bearings, and don't need greasing. They are easy to replace with new ones from Pivot Works, or just go to a bearing house and they can get the same ones you need. They might even have the seal too. Tap out the old ones, and tap in the new. I did it to my wheels, no sweat! ?

[Misfit]

OK I guess we shouldnt have to worry then since the bike only has a little over 1k miles on it. ?

Thanx for the info ?

[HairyScary]

The exterior seals that are driven in over top of the wheel bearings and run on the wheel collars aren't all that great, especially once they've seen a few miles and the dirt has wore the seal and grooved the collars. To this end, it helps if you fill the air gap behind the outer seal and up to the bearing itself with some grease and then slide the collar in. If there is only air in there, then it is easy for water to get in and lie between the bearing and the seal and eventually creep past the bearing seal as well. With grease in there there is less chance of water making it in, and the next time you have it apart you can wipe out some of the contaminated grease and put some fresh stuff in. Your wheel bearings will be better protected and last a lot longer.