rear rim bearings

[bigbore2]

Putting on a new rear tire, so after 34 YEARS and 50,000 mi, I decided I needed new bearings while I had things apart.
Mainly the 34 years, as grease must deteriorate or dry out?
Anyway,I was very suprised how good the original metal shielded bearings were.  the two in the rim felt great, smooth and no glitches.  the larger one in the sprocket hub did have a couple glitches I could feel.  I tore off the metal shield on the rim bearings to look inside. the grease was in very good condition, just not in the amount I would expect in a new bearing, but adequate to still work.

[fjbiker84]

I did the same thing ten years or so ago while having new tires put on my FJ.  I had read that the rear wheel bearings on FJs were known to fail when subjected to lots of water.  So I had the shop put in new bearings along with the tires. I had the shop give me the old bearings to see what condition they were in.  After taking the outer cover off I found that the old bearings were in perfect condition and the grease seemed to be fine.

[balky1]

I did the same thing ten years or so ago while having new tires put on my FJ.  I had read that the rear wheel bearings on FJs were known to fail when subjected to lots of water.  So I had the shop put in new bearings along with the tires. I had the shop give me the old bearings to see what condition they were in.  After taking the outer cover off I found that the old bearings were in perfect condition and the grease seemed to be fine.

I had non-sealed bearings that failed after one long rainy ride because the oil seal chewed a bit into one of the wheel spacers and let the water in (there was a lot of rusty water/grease in the bearings). I havent fixed those spacers, but now I have sealed bearings. Next time they fail I will make new spacers out of a tougher material.