Just wondering if this helps anyone, I think all ball bearings are very similar. And you guys haven't mentioned roller bearings. This is a diagram of a ball bearing, hope it helps.

http://www.theyo.com/bearing.html

Sorry I couldn't post just the diagram, but it's on the bottom of the page, you can blow it up in word or another program.

wow,it wasnt a joke to rebuild it.
i tried it on a semi jammed bearing from my FTTC3,in hope i can find that niggling piece of dirt.didn't find any,as i reassembled the thing,it was still the same:flaming: :flaming:
dont try it on a tc3 bearing,the ring which places the bearings are clamped on both sides,u will have to unclamp it to get them out.
I can't clamp it back in.:confused: :confused:

I can see how this would help, sometimes the dirt stuck in a bearing is impossible to get out by just spraying. I still have yet to try this, but I'll propably get around to it sometime today.

Have you guys tried the toothpaste trick, it works pretty good.

What's the toothpaste trick?

... what's the toothpaste trick?

:weird: HUH? LOL Everytime I rebuild my car(every 1 to 2 months) part of the re-build is taking all the bearings appart and cleaning them properly if there not smooth. I was under the impression this was common practice......

... i clean my bearings, but if some aren't smooth anymore, i replace them already... :nod: :D :cool: ... i really have a hard time puttin them back together after i totally disassemble them. :nod: :D ;) :cool:

Ultrasonic jewerly cleaner
 

I have used an ultrasonic jewerly cleaner that was a cheaper one and it seemed to do okay......You could see the flakes of dirt or grit at the bottom of the cleaner. Stopped using it as soon as my wife noticed that the cleaner in the jewerly cleaner was thinner instead of the jewerly cleaner solution.:lol: :D

how effective are those ultrasonic cleaners anyway? i mean does it work just as well if you dont open up your bearing, but just throw it in and let it sit overnight?

Bearing Cleaners
 

Guys;

One thing to look out for is the "Cheap" cleaners are NOT Ultra Sonic. They will usually be labeled as "Sonic" Cleaners and do not vibrate at High Frequency like an Ultra Sonic cleaner should.

These High Frequency vibrations are what really work to remove all of the dirt, etc from the hard to reach areas.

Has anyone found a "TRUE" Ultra Sonic cleaner for less than $200 usd?

Thanks,

http://www.innovations.com.au/cda/pr...007-26,00.html

Is that one up to par pops? But it's from Aus.....

Got one of these from ebay.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...&category=7321

Works very well on my wristwatch and my girlfreind's jewelry. After cleaning, I could see a layer of dirt and gunk on the bottom of the container.

I even tried it on a old clean(or so I thought) engine bearing I had laying around. As soon as I turned it on, I could see a flow of grit and oil residue come out of the bearing. Wow! This thing works and this was in water with a couple of drops of Simple Green.:nod: This this should work great with thinner or acetone.:D

I'm assuming it's ultrasonic cause when I turn it on, nothing vibrates. Actually, you can see very slight ripples on the water's surface.

The ultrasonic cleaner should help make that $6 can of motor-spray last a lot longer.:nod: :lol:

As to the topic of bearing cleaners, I've used the Integy one with great success. It is under $20 at SpeedTech and runs off of 2 AA batteries. Its probably not as effective a true ultra sonic jewelery cleaner, but at under 1/10 of the price its great. I use WD-40 in the cleaner to clean out the bearings, but mineral spirits is supposed to work well too. Its amazing how much junk can accumulate in those bearings even when they feel ok.