Why is my pto driveshaft bearing always dry

[RobX-1]

Ok, I don't think I ever ran the same bearing over 10,000 miles. Heck I just replaced the jack shaft and drive axle bearings on my 18 and it only had 6000 miles. Point I was making is that even with replacing every 2-3 years depending on mileage, those two and the drive axle more so, need to be inspected and re-greased yearly.

 

[YammieMan]

You can probably find quite a bit of more detailed info in the Search... but a lot of guys do the regrease and the bearings last a long time. The one thing you have to check is if you have the regreasable bearing. Some bearings sold by the Canadian Yamaha dealers were not regreasable, meaning you can't get the seal off. But if yours are regreasable, then after you remove whatever is in front of the bearing, get under the lip of the rubber seal with a dental pick or small screwdriver, gently massage it up and loose so you don't bend the bejesus out of it. If you have air, I use about 50 psi while holding a rag over to catch the grease, and blow the old grease and moisture out. Then I apply any good bearing grease with a needle, pointy, or regular tip grease gun, doesn't matter because you have to push the grease in with your thumb anyway to get it to the back, and it will get back there if you press it in, because I've checked by doing it on the bench. So yes, one side is good enough. Ideally do it at the end of each season.

Thanks so much! You guys are awesome! I love my apex sled and want to keep it nice! It was very well maintained from the guy I bought it and want to keep it that way.

 

[stevewithOCD]

I would repack the secondary bearing every year & i think the one that's in there is over 15,000 miles. I'll remind the current owner to change it this summer.
The Driveshaft bearing gets pummeled with ice, sand & salt then gets warm & cooled at the same time. YUCKY place for a bearing.
The bearing comes with white grease & it's brown every year with very little grease in it.
So even repacking it means it ran with very little dirty grease in it. That's about 2500 miles a year BTW