Rear Sprocket Bearing

[rollerfish01]

Changed the front, rear sprocket and the chain a few days ago.
Found that the rear sprocket bearing was single side sealed, also a gap was between the bearing and the outer dust seal.
Dirt (& a bit rust?) was inside the bearing, grease was dry, and I also need to spray a lot of WD40 to help to detach the dust seal.
The question is why the bearing not using double side seal to prevent dirt go inside ? It's a mechanical design or just cost saving ? 

[seth]

Change the bearing everytime you change the sprockets as the bearings are known to go around 16000/20000 miles I've had 1 go at 18000 and another on it's last legs at 17000 miles.
The seal can be cleaned up and reused but I use double sided sealed bearings in sprocket carrier and wheelbearings and pack the seal with grease .
If the bearing goes it can damage the swingarm ,wheel ,clutch cylinder and back of the engine .
All very ££££
Good luck

[rollerfish01]

forgot to say I changed the bearing too...
But wish to find a double side seal bearing for next time,
@seth any suggestion ? Thanks !

[seth]

I use skf double sealed bearings with metal cage
You get the numbers off your old bearing (or take them with you) and go to your local bearing suppliers they should match you up a set .
Should be cheaper than Suzuki and far better quality .

[rollerfish01]

Thanks for your suggestion ! 

[Hooli]

What Seth said. I use double sided ones & change them with every chain as they are dodgy by 30-35k miles.

[KiwiCol]

That's the sprocket carrier bearing yeah?  Never changed one in either of the bikes.  How tight are they to get out? So, double sided seal is ok on this one?  Just not rear wheel bearings?

Depending on how hard they are to get out, might have a wee play in there over the weekend.

[seth]

Easy to knock out with a big socket .
Suzuki cut corners on all the wheel bearing including the sprocket carrier bearing.
I've changed all to better quality double sealed bearings on both wheels and still change the sprocket carrier with every chain change.

[KiwiCol]

Cheers Seth.

[KiwiCol]

Rollerfish01, just out of interest, what's the mileage on your bike?  Looking at the bearing you replaced, it's possibly the original.

[Cykik]

I took this out @ 24k mls. Dunno where the dust shield & bearings went though!!

[KiwiCol]

Bloody hell!!  running a bit shite was it?

[rollerfish01]

Rollerfish01, just out of interest, what's the mileage on your bike?  Looking at the bearing you replaced, it's possibly the original.

Its around 67K km, I guess the previous owners had never changed the bearing(s). 

[KiwiCol]

Cheers rollerfish01, least yours had all the balls, not like Cykiks'.

[Speedy1959]

Maybe it was an "all balls" bearing ??