NTN FORMULA BEARINGS????

[SLEDSTART]

seems like I am endlessly replacing bearings if I put good miles on in a season. Anyone use an online supplier and what brand are you guys using. Seems like the Yami bearings don't last. 1000 miles and my idlers are usually shot. I have tried Parts unlimited made by (I forgot now) and some others but with the same results.
I know NTN has a special cold weather series made just for sleds (called formula) and was wondering if any of you guys are running these and where is the best price on them? I would rather spend a few bucks more if I know they will live a little longer. I actually talked to a guy in Canada at NTN and they sound like they designed this series just for sleds. He rattled off a bunch of differences between this series and a regular bearing. As in low temp grease, greased from both sides in MFG, something about something added besides just the double seal... blah blah blah
http://www.ntn.ca/snow.htm

Anyone have any input on these?

 

[JDKRXW]

Anyone have any input on these?

Yep, I work in an industry that uses TONS and TONS of bearings, and NTN is a major player. I know a couple of guys that work for NTN Canada so I also know a little bit about what they're selling to sledders.
Generally speaking, when buying aftermarket parts, you get what you pay for. NTN are far from the cheapest bearings you can buy, and I would not hesitate to use them on my sled.

 

[LazyBastard]

I put a set of NTN formulas on my Exciter 7 years ago, and they ALL turn perfectly smooth still to this day. I haven't maintained them at all - whatever grease was in them is still whats in them.

 

[Grimm]

I haven't had great luck with the NTNs. I found that they didn't last any longer than others I've purchased.

A couple of years ago, I started to use a low priced bearing (about $2 a pop), pull the seals and grease them with a low temp synthetic. They still work great and it beats paying $6 for an NTN Formula.

 

[Black 1000]

I used to use koyo bearings but now there hard to get. I am useing the NTN bearings in my girlfriends 99 SRX and I am trying a new bearing called nichi. Supposed to be as good as the NTN's. We'll see.

 

[LooseCannon]

Bottom line is bearing longevity is determined by debris protection. All sealed ball bearings have very similar lip sealing configurations to help prevent foreign debris. However regardless of the manufacture, dirt still gets into the bearing causing premature failure. Sand, dirt, water you name it, they all contribute to bearing failures. Most all manufactures produce bearings to an industry standard or ABEC rating.

 

[Maddog]

I have found that Yamaha's bearings out last any of the aftermarket stuff.

 

[grader]

buy the cheapest skid bearings you can. remove seal from one side and fill with synthetic grease. replace seal and drive the season. next year repeat that way you know your bearings are good for the year. the two dollar bearing does its job and its cheap maintenance.

 

[SLEDSTART]

buy the cheapest skid bearings you can. remove seal from one side and fill with synthetic grease. replace seal and drive the season. next year repeat that way you know your bearings are good for the year. the two dollar bearing does its job and its cheap maintenance.

OK...but last season I put about 2500 miles on the SRX and 2700 on the RX-1. By the time I pulled the bearings this fall, some were so bad (almost frozen) I can't see removing the seal and shooting grease in them would help them at that point. They seem beyond just needing fresh grease. Unless I toss them in a parts washer and remove everything and then greasing them. But I would think as bad as some of them were that there HAS to be some sort of damage/wear to the balls and the inside of the race. At that point is it really worth the time to do all that to a bearing that could be junk even with fresh grease?

 

[WarriorBeads]

I ususally use the NTN standard bearings and have had good luck. I agree that moisture and dirt are going to get in them anyway, so I've accepted that I'll have to tear the skid appart every year and replace them all. If nothing else, it's cheap insurance. Whether you're replacing a $2 bearing or a $6 bearing, if it seizes, the idler PLUS a new bearing is going to cost you a lot more let alone the aggrevation and time lost while the snow's flying.

I also think that different experiences by different people has a lot to do with the snow conditions you ride in. If you ride a lot of roads, you're gonna get dirt in your bearings. If you keep your sled outdoors, you may have worse luck with moisture, and so on. JMHO.

 

[grader]

snowdog, what i meant to say was replace the bearings every year, not repack them. take the new bearings and pack one side with grease, as i have yet to see any new bearing with sufficient grease in it from the factory.

 

[SLEDSTART]

snowdog, what i meant to say was replace the bearings every year, not repack them. take the new bearings and pack one side with grease, as i have yet to see any new bearing with sufficient grease in it from the factory.

ok...that makes more sense. I can see buying a less costly bearing and packing it with the synthetic grease. Probabally cheaper in the long run.

 

[Grimm]

You can also refresh the bearing during midseason without taking them off the sled. Just buy a needle greaser and pump in some grease. You'll then see rusty water squeeze out from the seals as you're pumping in the grease.

 

[WarriorBeads]

Grimm - Another good idea I'll have to try this season.

 

[DaveyBoy]

I just put some f.a.g. bearings in my sled gonna see how they work out they are a high end bearing from Eastern Bearing here in mass only 20 each