06 Vector-Check those jackshaft bearings

[venture2]

I have an 06 Vector with 2900 miles on it. After reading some posts here about changing the grease in the upper & lower jackshaft bearings on the left side, I decided to take a look. I took the seal covers off with a small flat bladed screwdriver (used for eyeglass screws) by prying at the outer edge of the shield; surprising how easy they came off. I couldn't believe the condition of the grease in the lower bearing where the speedometer gear is. The grease was brown like mud and almost hard. I cleaned it up as someone here suggested; picked out the old grease and flushed with wd40 several times, dryed it out and repacked a little over 1/2 full. The upper bearing was clean, had some grease but also getting hard. If I had ridden the machine this year that lower bearing would have failed for sure, so I dodged a bullet on that one. I did some reading on the pitfalls of packing a bearing with too much grease; it's advised to not fill the cage area more than 1/3 full . I followed that guideline on the upper one and put a little more in the lower one due to it's location in the snow & water.
Have pictures but can't figure out how to add them.

Anyways,Thanks for the tip!

venture2

 

[Dara]

My buddy had an upper bearing go on him last week. 05 Rage. It got so hot that the shaft broke...right in 2 inside the bearing...towed home by his girlfriends Cat

 

[yamaha1973]

My buddy had an upper bearing go on him last week. 05 Rage. It got so hot that the shaft broke...right in 2 inside the bearing...towed home by his girlfriends Cat

that would suck

 

[Dara]

What sucked is he lost the best weekend if riding in Grand Marais all year....16" of fresh powder Friday night and it happened first thing Saturday morning