Ice in Axle Bearing

[Dreams_of_Apex]

So I decided to check and grease the Axle bearing and jackshaft, first I can't get the Snap ring off the Jackshaft bearing for the life of me, I bought some cheap #*$&@ snap ring pliers from CA tire and they are junk, so I need to find a good set. Axle bearing was much easier to check, and it was full of ice....I didn't see any rust, and I used a heat gun to warm it up, and then cleaned it with WD40, and repacked it with grease. Question is Would you replace this bearing, or just keep your eye on it, and repack every year??

I am starting to realize that the previous owner did 0 maintenance, said he did it all at dealer and he had just spend 1200 bux, but I can't see that...Oil was a quart low, Skid didn't look like it had been greased all year, Now this, just glad I found it before I blew it up on trail. Also told me that Exhaust donuts and Battery were just done, but after seeing what I have so far, I Can't believe anything he told me.....

 

[Sled Dog]

I would run it for this season but keep and eye on it and change it this spring. Make sure you check the jackshaft it will not be as bad but most likely needs some new grease.

 

[NY AttakGT]

Depends what condition bearing is in. If it was never greased, I'd replace. Cheap insurance for $34, around what they cost...and you have it all apart now. I grease mine every season and replace every other, for piece of mind. I carry a spare on the sled also, just in case.

As far as the jack shaft bearing circlip, yea it is heavy duty and need a decent set of snap ring pliers. That is another bearing I clean and re-grease every year, as preventative maintenance. This bearing is usually in pretty good shape though. Not as prone to moisture and water as the driveshaft/speedo bearing.

 

[Dreams_of_Apex]

That's what I am thinking too, I may long track it before next season, so if I do, I will replace the bearing at the same time.

I will deff check the Jackshaft bearing, very easy and quick to get at, I just need to find some decent snap ring plies, I think the set I picked up are for much smaller snap rings than the one on there...

 

[Sled Dog]

Yes I had to do the same I went to acklands and outside was the snap on truck I talked to him and bought two sets right from the truck.

 

[black knight]

i took a pair of small needle nose pliers and ground the noses down to fit the snap ring holes. I leave them in the tool kit for the winter in trunk of sled. They work good for your application and the snap rings on the iddlers as well if you need to do trail side work and they still work as pliers.2 tools in 1

I repack the speedo bearing every 1500k or so and for sure before summer storage then change every second year. Royal has them for $20.00.

 

[ITHAPPENS]

No need to remove snap ring, just pop out seal carefully. Do it every year with no issues. Check rear suspension for cracks, very common. Good luck.

 

[YammyRX1]

No need to remove snap ring, just pop out seal carefully. Do it every year with no issues. Check rear suspension for cracks, very common. Good luck.

X2 - even if you get the snap ring off the bearing is difficult to remove unless you are taking the whole jackshaft out. Depending on the seal you can gently pop it of with a dental pick or drill a small hole in it and grease it with a needle tip.

 

[Dreams_of_Apex]

No need to remove snap ring, just pop out seal carefully. Do it every year with no issues. Check rear suspension for cracks, very common. Good luck.

Hmmm, Interesting, I'll have to take a look at that, thanks for the tip! If it works should save me 40 Bux on a heavy duty set of Snap ring pliers!!

 

[yamahahaapex]

for what its worth i found it was pretty simply to just pop the bearing right off the shaft, clean it thouroughly and regrease from both sides. two set screws and lightly tap it off. ive been told the bearing likes to seize on the shaft causing problems down the road so once a year would save some headaches

 

[Riceburner]

So I decided to check and grease the Axle bearing and jackshaft, first I can't get the Snap ring off the Jackshaft bearing for the life of me, I bought some cheap #*$&@ snap ring pliers from CA tire and they are junk, so I need to find a good set. Axle bearing was much easier to check, and it was full of ice....I didn't see any rust, and I used a heat gun to warm it up, and then cleaned it with WD40, and repacked it with grease. Question is Would you replace this bearing, or just keep your eye on it, and repack every year??

I am starting to realize that the previous owner did 0 maintenance, said he did it all at dealer and he had just spend 1200 bux, but I can't see that...Oil was a quart low, Skid didn't look like it had been greased all year, Now this, just glad I found it before I blew it up on trail. Also told me that Exhaust donuts and Battery were just done, but after seeing what I have so far, I Can't believe anything he told me.....

I would say if there was no rust, the drive shaft bearing had been changed recently. The guy was likely telling the truth.
Yamaha does not pack em tight from the factory so that is likely why the ice in there.
What is your procedure for checking the oil? Sled needs to be hot and oil checked right on the level a minute or so after shut off.