Let’s replace the wheel bearings.
These are single-sided seals. When replacing them, we convert both sides to non-contact seals.
Double-sided seals better contain the internal grease, so we believe degradation will be slower.
We check the distance collar and note its color so you can tell if there’s any change next time.
This seal hasn’t changed since the oil-cooled bikes of the 1990s. In this condition, it’s even hard to turn by hand.
It doesn’t seem necessary to seal this tightly, and modern bikes are designed with gentler seals.
Rubber is surprisingly strong and can even wear down the steel collar. It’s hard to say whether the seal or the collar gets the wear marks, so we do an initial break-in on the seal.
The rear pads and disc are getting close too. Please consider replacing them.
