Author Topic: Ceramic bearing question  (Read 2143 times)

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Offline mtiberio

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Ceramic bearing question
« on: January 23, 2019, 02:45:13 PM »
I have a shaft drive motorcycle which carries the aft end of the u-joint in a carrier bearing. I'm thinking of replacing the bearing with a ceramic bearing. Given the cost difference between hybrid and full ceramic ($75 vs $195) I thought I'd ask. Is the difference worth it?


Offline Stainless1

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Re: Ceramic bearing question
« Reply #1 on: January 23, 2019, 07:03:04 PM »
are you about .005 to .01 off the record... and trying to get there?  :|
you'll get more out of a better tuck
Stainless
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Offline wobblywalrus

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Re: Ceramic bearing question
« Reply #2 on: January 24, 2019, 02:04:33 AM »
Both the steel and ceramic bearings function with oil films between the balls and races if they are in an oil bath.  Materials might not be as significant performance factor as one would suspect.  Manufacturing tolerances, number of balls, etc. can have a bigger influence.  The manufacturer or supplier technical support staff might be a good help.

Offline mtiberio

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Re: Ceramic bearing question
« Reply #3 on: January 24, 2019, 09:45:38 AM »
Interesting... I am not close to the record. I simply want to go a bit faster. Noonan told me he uses ceramic wheel bearings, which got me thinking. Maybe I'll corner him and explore the topic.

Online jacksoni

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Re: Ceramic bearing question
« Reply #4 on: January 24, 2019, 11:59:23 AM »
Sort of thinking that a driveshaft support bearing may have considerably less benefit than a wheel bearing but more than a tiny bit is still a tiny bit. I agree with the prior opinions- not worth the money.  Then again, is your money so do what you want. But what do I know....;)
Jack Iliff
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Offline gowing

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Re: Ceramic bearing question
« Reply #5 on: January 24, 2019, 06:46:26 PM »
Interesting that this question would come up just as I finished pulling my shaft drive swingarm and final drive unit
to see what I could do to make it spin a little easier.

After disassembly and cleaning everything up,
tight bearings and a tight u joint appear to be the major factor in my resistance.

Well........ that and the cold gear lube basically gluing everything together. :x
Since I can't afford ceramic bearings,  I think I'm gonna try some thinner oil to see if I can't free things up a bit that way.


« Last Edit: January 24, 2019, 06:51:35 PM by gowing »

Offline handyguy

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Re: Ceramic bearing question
« Reply #6 on: January 24, 2019, 07:38:54 PM »
LUCAS has  5  &  7 1/2 (L9) wt. diff. oil that I use .  STEVE

Offline johnneilson

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Re: Ceramic bearing question
« Reply #7 on: March 24, 2019, 10:21:26 AM »
Ceramic bearings have been around for a long time.
Yes, there might be some reduced friction in the reduction of ball deformation due to the hardness.
I used several different designs in 2/ motors and kart chassis applications.

Contact the manufacturer and engineering dept for best results.
One point to consider is the contact patch area of the ball and inner race, I have seen the balls start to flake race material.

John
As Carroll Smith wrote; All Failures are Human in Origin.