Busted axle bearing?
 

So, I've probably got 40 miles or so on my new buggy, riding it on forest trails, mostly gentle inclines, a couple short, steep hills.. No jumps or big obstacle collisions. well, as I'm rolling my buggy into the garage yesterday after a ride i hear a "tic, tic, tic, tic, tic".. at first i figure maybe the chain has stretched or something, but it feels okay so I throw the buggy up on jack stands and and spin the rear wheels to track down the noise. with my hand on the axle i can feel the tic.. hand on rear brake.. stronger tic..hand on bearing..BINGO! I pull the wheel to take a look, I'm new to buggy's, but it looks like the axle is off center to the left (pic1).. I undo the three bolts that hold the cap on the bearing housing a little non-metal material on the bottom of the housing cap..like ground black plastic, but just a dusting.. spin the axle..NO TICKING..cap back on tightening bolts..unsure of proper procedure so did it kinda like lug nuts.. a little on each as I went..as i tighten down the top right bolt, TIC! spin the axle..tic-tic-tic-tic.. loosen bolts..no tic..re-tighten as the housing comes flush against the swing arm , TIC! from the bearing.. Idea's anyone? also what size puller/tool to remove bearings?

Probly ur bearings. Order for both sides not just that one side... you don't need a special tool or puller just a hammer and a socket. :)

any advise on quality replacements?

www.vxb.com i prefer naichi, skf, etc. just nothing from china.

thanks guys!

No warranty? Or is it even worth calling the manufacturer?

eh, I'd rather just replace it. The dealer seems kinda "fly by night" so, I'm just going to order some quality bearings, instead of waiting for crappy free ones..

Is it a pain getting the wheel hubs off the axle so I can swap these bad boys?

Thats what I was figuring. I know some of those companies get kinda flimsy if you don't have a dealer assemble the units.

Post some pics of the hubs and axle, there are usually always options.

I would call the dealer and take advantage of the warranty. It doesn't matter what brand bearings you buy they are all made in China. 99% of the Chinese bearings used in our buggies are a brand name sold in the USA.

Attachment 4736Here's the wheels. the hubs have ridges that slide down groves in the axle. maybe a couple taps with a mallet on the backside?:dunno:
Edit: yup a couple gentle taps with the mallet and they came right off..:laugh:

probably a stupid question, but, should I order new dust seals too? Just seems a good idea to replace those as well..

Ur outer dust seal are probably good look at them. Just shove a bunch of grease inside the bearing housing and slap on ur dust seals.

Anyone ever replace one of these axle bearings? anything I need to be careful with?

No just basic tools and taking your time the first time. Piece of cake.

lol, thanks sycarms!

I'm sure I'm asking a stupid question, but, seriuously is there an easier/faster/smarter way to get these things off. The non sprocket/brake side came right off with a few gentle taps, the other side...not so much. can't seem to get anything behind it to tap it out.. Do i need to completely take everything off the axle or something to get these bad boys off. any reassembly tips would be great.. I'm sort of "special", when it comes to working on buggys and my noobness is in full effect.

All I've ever had to do is tap them out but since your sort of in the rust belt you make want to spray it down with some P-B Blaster. Besides the only stupid question is one you don't ask.

yeah, just having trouble getting behind the one on this side with on the brake discs and stuff..

Put up a few pics of the axle where your having trouble.

Here is my axle, I can't get behind the bearing housing enough to tap it off..

From what I see in your picture the right bearing carrier is moved back from the frame bearing tang. You need do the same to the other side then the axle will be removed through the opening in the tang. If one side is separated from the tang it is just a matter of sliding the axle to other side until barring carrier is away from the tang enough for it to move through the opening. If neither side is cleared the tang enough just knock the other bearing carrier back further so that you can push the axle to the other side thus allowing the axle to drop through the tang opening.

Yup, brake disc limits movement, looks like I'll have to take it off too. This side is still in the same position. The other side came right off, this one is being a bitch.. No Good, I can't budge the brake disc bolts.. don't want to strip them..

Just so I'm being clear, The bearing carrier pictured is still in it's original position, the gap is because the left side carrier is removed. However the brake disc limits how much I can move the axle. I tried to remove it but the bolts on the disc, just looks like they're going to strip rather than separate..

Have someone hold the other side in line then using a block of wood and a big hammer hit the end of the axle to move the carrier on the axle until there is clearance to drop the axle down and out of that tang.

Yeah, looks like it's time for operation big hammer...

Just make sure you protect the threads on the end .

Man, split two pieces of 2x4 and still didn't budge, looks like I'm gonna have to get that disc off hook or by crook. Just sucks that a simple thing like this is holding off buggy time.

if you can't move the brake disc bolts they may be lock tited may sure you have the right size wrench too fit the bolts , and then heat the the threaded end of the bolts with a propane torch and try turning them while it is still warm. dont worry a propane torch is not going to get the bolts so hot it will hurt them

I'm wondering if the axle got bent a tad in shipping, I think i would have noticed any impacts that would do that. However it seemed to spin fine until the click of doom started.. I have a friend that owns a garage, and he swears he has a tool that will pull this f-ing thing off. Just bummed, another buddy gave me free access to 155 acres of trails, which is hard to find where I live in Mass. But hunting season is upon us, and he's not going to have much luck bagging dear when I'm tearing through his woods, so I'm bummed that I'm probably going to be parking the buggy for the winter.

Success! My buddy with a slide hammer came over and got that sucker off!! Just going to smooth the area, and press in the new bearings!

Know above is an older post, but very helpful. Can anyone suggest what type (model / size) of slide hammer is used to pull these bearings ? Like above, encountered some bearing creaking upon new buggy delivery. We cleaned & repacked bearings - much improved, but from metal shavings in bearings (visible when we cleaned out) we know we will be replacing bearings soon. As above - would like to pull both sides without full disassembly of rear axle, sprocket, disk, if that is possible. Have used pullers before, but would appreciate any tips on the length (reach) of the puller that can be used to remove the bearings - prefer screw type puller (bolt against end of axle) - but is there is a model of slide hammer puller that will work, I'd consider.

My setup exactly like WildBob's pics above.

Thanks !

I ended up getting one at harbor freight.. I don't remember the size I can try to get to the toolbox when I get home.

Thks !

Seems the "arm" length for the puller is the hard spec to match in pullers available - at least from those I've looked at.

Goal is to replace rear bearings w/o dropping rear axle, sprocket, disc.

We're located in Florida, and trails on our property are mostly hard-pack sand. Bearings always an issue. Our last Carter kart, replaced bearings 3-4 times in 9 yrs we had kart....

Pull the axle. Bearing can be knocked off with light blows using hammer and punch.