How do I ease stiff sealed bearings effectively, without using them normally?

Question

There must be a shortcut to reducing friction, especially when the seals prevent ingress of almost everything, including lubricants!

Answer 1

A friend of mine who is an engineer, once solved the problem by placing the bearings in an oil bath and heating it!

this thins the lube so it stands a better chance of getting in, and also, the heat can ease the lube/bearings inside even if nothing gets in.

I'm no expert though so I wouldn't like to say what kind of lube, or how hot.



If you can't take'em out, maybe a blowtorch played over the bearings would do the same job?

Answer 2

If your able to take them out, perhaps you could leave them to soak in a solvent bath, then an oil bath.

Answer 3

smash them with a hammer



ask this in the right forum