Front Wheel bearings Maintenance

[DGXSER]

Yes this is first term bonehead kinda question perhaps, and yes I did a search. While checking my rotors for being warped by pulling them, I thought I should grease my wheel bearings prior to putting the wheel back on. So I looked at things and the rubber seal does not seem to come off easy. I have no idea what it looks like or how it locks in and I certainly do not want to turn routine maintenance into replacing parts that are fine and not giving me problems.

Sooo, before I tear soemthing up thought I would ask, how DO you get the seal out and get to the bearings? Or do you just push grease into what you can see?

Thanks for any input.

[tarzan]

They are supposed to be maintainence free bearings.I had the same concern when I installed new tires,I thought I'd check and grease bearings and speedo drive.One bearing (I cant remember which side) has no plastic cover on one side.Anyway I went to a local bearing supply house and bopught new bearings.It was about a year ago and I think it cost me about $10 a piece.
I figure replacing them was cheap insurance.
BTW-I was going to replace the rear bearings too but could only find the one side.Apparently one of the rear bearings is discontinued.I did see a post not too long ago about someone finding a source for the scarce bearing though.

[bikerphil]

The speedometer side seal should pop out fairly easily without damaging it. I use a hook type seal puller to do the job. The other side is in there a little better and a bit more difficult. The seal puller will distort this one a tad, but it can be easily straightened. Now the grease seals on the bearings can be carefully popped out with a tiny screwdriver. I wouldn't recommend taking the bearings out of the hub unless you are to replace them (mikesxs $10 ea.). You can usually tell if they still have grease just by the feel of rotating them. Check them for slop too.