Can a bearing be "overpacked" with grease?

[Vilas]

Thanks to this site, I have cleaned and re-greased my driveshaft and jack shaft bearings. Today I started with the various wheels on the skid. After popping out the wheel bearing and cleaning out the grease with WD40 and air hose, I packed with fresh grease. After putting the wheel back on I'm wondering if perhaps I've put in too much grease? It doesn't spin as freely as I would have anticipated. It certainly isn't binding, but the wheel on the other side that I haven't cleaned yet actually spins a bit longer if I spin them both at the same time. I'm using "red tacky" grease. did I overdo it? Do the wheels just need to spin more to soften up the grease and spread it around? Thanks!

 

[smoothride]

The other wheel has no grease that's why it spins better.

 

[Vilas]

That's what I was starting to think too. When I clean all the grease off and then spin it, it rolls like a dream but of course it has zero grease in it. I guess I need to take "bearing 101" to understand exactly what that grease does. It increases rolling resistance but prolongs life somehow., Maybe it transfers heat?

 

[cannondale27]

The grease will slowly release oil and move to clear area of bearing. One ride and they will spin by hand much easier. As long as seal is seated you will be fine. Good job!

 

[Vilas]

Awesome thanks for the info!

 

[Sevey]

Like Vila said - as long as the seal is seated. If it's bulged out and grease is coming out just turning it by hand it is likely over packed.
Ms

 

[RTX]

Yes it is possible to overpack a bearing.
Too much grease can be just as bad as too little grease.
Too much grease can cause overheating of the bearing. Normally this will only happen at high rpm. The higher the rpm the higher the heat.

The reality of the situation is,
in the application we use these bearings in, they just dont have a long lifespan.
The statement above relates more to bearings used in industrial applications like electric motors and such where they operate at high speeds all day for years at a time.

So to answer the question.
Yes you can overpack a bearing.
Will you ever see your sled bearings fail from overpacking.
No dont worry about it.

 

[Vilas]

Yes it is possible to overpack a bearing.
Too much grease can be just as bad as too little grease.
Too much grease can cause overheating of the bearing. Normally this will only happen at high rpm. The higher the rpm the higher the heat.

The reality of the situation is,
in the application we use these bearings in, they just dont have a long lifespan.
The statement above relates more to bearings used in industrial applications like electric motors and such where they operate at high speeds all day for years at a time.

So to answer the question.
Yes you can overpack a bearing.
Will you ever see your sled bearings fail from overpacking.
No dont worry about it.

Great explanation thanks!