Re-packing tapered wheel bearings in Eldorado

[SmokyBC]

With the new barrels and pistons in my recently acquired Eldorado working fine, I'm thinking about the 42 year old wheel bearing grease.

My Haynes manual only shows disc brake wheel assemblies.

Any surprises to look out for before I start taking things apart?

Thanks

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

Have a read here: http://thisoldtractor.com/moto_guzzi_loopframe_wheel_bearing_adjustment_shimming_set_up.html

Might be a good idea to have new seals on hand and replace any that looks compromised. Easy to remove by levering them out with a paint can opener. Once the seals are out, the bearings just pull out. Do keep track of the shims and their location.

[Chuck in Indiana]

Do you know how to pack tapered bearings?
Here's how. (this is airplane stuff) First clean them with solvent, and inspect them with a 10X glass. You are looking for pits and or flat spots. Either is cause for rejection. They're good? Ok, here's how to pack them. Put a glob of grease in your left hand. Hold the bearing in your other hand with the small diameter up, and smack it into the grease. Pick it up, turn it, and repeat. Keep doing this and turning it. You'll see the grease being forced up through the rollers. When you see it all around the bearing, you're done. Any dirt that may have been left from the cleaning operation is in that layer. Wipe it off. Bask in the pleasure of another job well done. 

[tpeever]

Have a read here: http://thisoldtractor.com/moto_guzzi_loopframe_wheel_bearing_adjustment_shimming_set_up.html

Might be a good idea to have new seals on hand and replace any that looks compromised. Easy to remove by levering them out with a paint can opener. Once the seals are out, the bearings just pull out. Do keep track of the shims and their location.

Agreed. Buy new seals all round before undertaking project. Shimming these lovely bearings is sheer joy. Tapered rollers are just awesome. Saw them before in a Matchless G12. I have plenty of shims and happy to ship to you if you need.

[canuck750]

Make sure you check the shimming of the bearings, when I rebuilt my Eldorado a couple years ago I failed to check the shimming and in short order I destroyed a set of tapered wheel bearings.

Not pretty



Follow Gregory Benders advice on cleaning the bearings 1st, oiling them (no grease) and checking the shimming. Once the shimming is right then you can grease them.

Or you can wait for this to happen





New tapered bearings available here

http://www.ebay.de/itm/2-x-Radlager-Moto-Guzzi-V7-Orig-made-in-Italy-/161727646970?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_77&hash=item25a7b80cfa

[nunzio]

are you talking about the front wheel or rear.

If it is your front wheel

Does your front wheel have 2ls brakes or 4ls brakes?

front wheels with 4ls brakes do not have tapered bearings....AFAIK

http://www.thisoldtractor.com/mg_manuals/spare_parts_catalog_v7sport.pdf

Plate #14


Alan

[SmokyBC]

OK, I got the job done.

These are 42 year old bearings with 9000 miles on them. I expected a small amount of dried up old grease. Much to my surprise, they were swimming in clean, thin grease. Repacked 'em with nice thick red grease, and put new seals in.

Now I'm not as worried about the rear, or swing arm and steering head.

Thanks for all your help.