Front wheel bearing shot?

[DanAbnormal]

How can you tell if the wheel bearing is knackered?

I swapped the discs from my old hornet to the new one today and noticed that the new front wheel has this black greasy looking stuff around the bit where the axle goes (grease I assume). But it looks as if some of the actual outer bearing has disentegrated. Also, hard to explain but inside the wheel is a tube, to which the axle goes through, it was off centre but I could poke my finger inside and move it about. The old hornet wheel was pretty dry and this bit didn't move. Also notice the shiny black stuff which looks like grease but I'm not sure if it's the bearing melting (or whatever). How could I tell?

[yorkie_chris]

Bit of grease coming out isn't going to kill anything.

The tube in the middle is the spacer, it should have a little free play, you need to look at the bearings themselves. Does the inner race spin around freely and does it have any play in it?

With the wheel off the deck with no brake calipers there does it spin nice and smooth, free and quiet?

[Sideshow#36]

You will be able to tell under braking. I had the same problem at Snetterton last month. Under braking the front wheel rappidly juddered. I thought it was warped discs, but on closeru inspection found the bearing had disintigrated. Only way to really tell is by taking the wheel off and rotating the bearing with your finger. If you feel any notching or uneven rotation... its foobarred.

[DanAbnormal]

Wheel rotates fine and freely. Phew. Me being paranoid again! Thanks guys.

So the other hornet needs some grease then?! Oops.

[yorkie_chris]

Carefully pop the bearing dust seal out, rinse it through with paraffin, completely dry it out with the air line, then half-pack it with castrol BDS grease is how I do it.