seal type in idler pulley

[peter lena 8,877]

having added idler pulleys to my mower decks , the most important detail is the type of grease seal it has , it should be pretty wide , so that a pocket screwdriver can easily remove it to repack with hi temp grease , the original grease ,is a guaranteed failure and soon to get noisy. found going to Lucas ,red n tacky hi temp grease is a sure thing for zero bearing failure, also great for ,pto needle bearing , I use it all over my horses , and you can tell the smooth quiet difference , also all my deck spindles , this picture is only for reference to the seal area, but that's what I key on to at pulley time , if you can easily remove the seal , you can add a grease that will not fail, https://www.amazon.com/dp/B087LRYXWB/ref=sspa_dk_detail_2?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B087LRYXWB&pd_rd_w=sxWIk&pf_rd_p=7d37a48b-2b1a-4373-8c1a-bdcc5da66be9&pd_rd_wg=aacpC&pf_rd_r=7K9YMKQX4F1R65AZDXSF&pd_rd_r=17964c8d-3817-49f2-a99e-12ebdd6194f8&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUExRVY1MlFNQ0szR09RJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwMjk4ODk5MTI2VjFVQUhaQlU2NiZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwNjIyMjk0QUlJS09MR0YzR1hPJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfZGV0YWlsJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==  , if i offended you with the up grade  idea, I am sorry , but this changeover works for me, pete 

[lynnmor 7,388]

A sealed bearing like that was never intended to have the seals removed and I know of no source to replace them.  They might be out there somewhere but it might be just as easy to buy new bearings and use the seals from them.

Edited October 3, 2020 by lynnmor

[Lee1977 6,872]

I have found that the sealed bearing idler use a 1 3/8" OD x 5/8" ID x 7/16" wide bearing ( 1623 2RS ). The flat idlers are easy to replace the bearing because they are not welded together like the v-grove idlers. They both may have a press fit bushing. 

As for removing the rubber seal use a small pocket screw driver, you can pop it right out. the seal will be undamaged and can be pressed right back in place.  I've done this also when greasing a bearing. I usually just use what ever grease I have in my grease gun.

Yes high temp grease is better. I just buy what ever brand they have. I have found that most equipment is not picky about the type of grease and that it is better that it is greased.

[peter lena 8,877]

the emphasis on the seal type and surface area is what i was detailing, I replace the same seals with no issues, small pocket screw driver easily pops them out , i have a number of them on the job  with no leaks or issues. Just the idea of  making a bearing not fail was what made me try it. you know all those 6203  deck bearings that fail ? they do not fail with the right grease. lee 1977 glad to see you doing the seal pop , also did that to my pto mule bearings, those get quite hot , just experimenting , pete 

[lynnmor 7,388]

Snowmobiles have a hard time with that type of bearing in the suspension wheels.  I've done a lot of the seal pops to grease and replaced quite a number of bearings and wheels.  What you don't know is which bearings have water and rust till the season is about to begin.  Doing a dozen or two seal pops every year is just too much, so I keep spare parts and spin the wheels before every trip, when in doubt I throw it out.  Marine type grease seems to be best for bearings exposed to water.

[peter lena 8,877]

lynnmor, i like the marine grease that's great stuff in moisture areas , thanks for the feedback , pete