Power Kite Forum

Buggy bearings

ragden - 16-2-2016 at 04:46 PM

Looks like one of the wheels on my 15yr old buggy isn't spinning at the same speed as the over wheel. I'm guessing the bearings are seized. And recommendations on how to correct that? It is a PL standard with midi wheels for those who didn't know.
Thanks!

BeamerBob - 16-2-2016 at 05:55 PM

Wheels will spin differently. Without noise and a rough feeling, your bearings are probably ok. OTOH, bearings are cheap and you can have all new ones for about $10. Ebay or Amazon will have good options. You can also pull the wheel off and roll the bearing with your fingers. If they are good, you won't feel any bumps or roughness. Clunka clunka feeling or like it has sand or gravels in it and you are close to locking them up and harming a plastic wheel.

hiaguy - 16-2-2016 at 06:14 PM

If it's time to replace them, try VXB.com

Here's the last order I placed:
Screen Shot 2016-02-16 at 8.12.14 PM.png - 25kB
Of course, if you're in a hurry, shipping can cost almost as much as the bearings, but if you have time it's not too bad

skimtwashington - 16-2-2016 at 07:19 PM



while on the bearing topic here...

What is difference between shielded bearings and sealed bearings?

'Shielded' has metal sidewall and 'sealed' has rubber/plastic sidewall, I know. Both supposed to keep out dust. Moisture? Other differences or purposes?

Anyone...Anyone.... Bueller..:D


ssayre - 16-2-2016 at 07:21 PM

Quote: Originally posted by hiaguy  
If it's time to replace them, try VXB.com

Here's the last order I placed:

Of course, if you're in a hurry, shipping can cost almost as much as the bearings, but if you have time it's not too bad


Nice avatar improvement Howard. Cool picture :thumbup:

WELDNGOD - 16-2-2016 at 07:30 PM

Quote: Originally posted by skimtwashington  


while on the bearing topic here...

What is difference between shielded bearings and sealed bearings?

'Shielded' has metal sidewall and 'sealed' has rubber/plastic sidewall, I know. Both supposed to keep out dust. Moisture? Other differences or purposes?

Anyone...Anyone.... Bueller..:D

No difference,just the seals. What will make the difference is ABEC ratings.

hiaguy - 16-2-2016 at 07:38 PM

@ragden: VXB can deliver the bearings to the Shalimar so that they're waiting for you. (They fit the 20mm axle bolt on the newer PL XR+. If you have the older 12mm or 15mm bolts, you'll need adapters to use these bearings: awindofchange.com/product/20mmwheeladaptors.html)

@ski: Bearing seals are also made out of rubber: the "2RS" in the serial number refers to 2-sided Rubber Shield.
The ones I mentioned above (below?) are not waterproof, but the shield does help keep out most of the sand. I've found that it's also easier to remove the rubber than metal for cleaning - and they're not bent so that they can be reused.

@ssayre: Thank you. It's actually a frame grab of some vid that my wife shot.
At Wildwood.
Where we'll be in another...
21 days :wee:

skimtwashington - 16-2-2016 at 07:53 PM

thanks Donnie.

If they gave ABEC rating on bearings -they don't on sources/sites I looked on- I guess that would be nice.

Only seen ABEC rating on Rollerblades!

How about " Basic Dynamic Load Rating"... ? I saw rating for that that in a bearing spec.


This: :wee::wee: .... would spin around faster with better bearings!

skimtwashington - 16-2-2016 at 08:13 PM

BTW...

Stainless Steel sealed bearings can be had- but at many times more the cost.

Don't know it's worth it unless it lasted that many more times longer if using in (constantly)wet conditions...?

awindofchange - 17-2-2016 at 04:39 PM

All good info above. We have all sizes of bearings in stock

http://www.awindofchange.com/category/kite_buggy_parts.html

for a 15 year old buggy, I would assume the bearings would be the 12mm sized on front and rear. Two bearings for each wheel, 6 bearings total to replace all bearings on the entire buggy.


ragden - 17-2-2016 at 04:53 PM

Cool. Thanks for all the info. I went to get my wrench out to pull off the wheel, and the zipper for he pocket my wrench is in is also seized. Looks like the zipper is rusted out and stuck in place Kind of annoying considering my wrench is in there. Lol. Just not my lucky day. Heh. Suggestions on how to fix the zipper?

WELDNGOD - 17-2-2016 at 05:01 PM

WD-40 FTW

ragden - 17-2-2016 at 05:04 PM

That is what I'd figured. Amusingly, I don't seem to have any readily on hand. Guess I'm making a trip to the store to get some... Lol

shehatesmyhobbies - 17-2-2016 at 06:54 PM

What's the number on your bearings, may have some in the trailer you are welcome to.

ragden - 17-2-2016 at 08:32 PM

If I could get the bolts out of the wheels, I'd tell you, but those are seized in too. Lol. I did get the zipper open, and my wrench out, but now I can't get the darn bolts off the wheels. This just never ends. Heh

shehatesmyhobbies - 18-2-2016 at 03:20 AM

Worse case scenario, you know I don't mind working on buggies! :evil:

Time for some penetrating oil overnight, should do the trick! Just give me a shout.

ragden - 18-2-2016 at 01:51 PM

I sprayed the bolt with wd40 last night, still won't budge. Rather amusing. I'll try spraying it with some more, and leave it over night again. You know, the wheel still spins, it just meets some resistance, and doesn't spin as long as the other wheel. It might be fine on the beach... I'll just have to try it and see...

Blitzhound - 22-2-2016 at 01:15 AM

A little anti-seize goes a long way!