They are not lasting long, current ones won't make it to a year and I don't submerge them that much nor often. When it is time for change? Any tips or suggestions for extending their life? Fresh water only, Timkens.

That is a fact of life on amphibious floats, unfortunately. There are probably better greases out there, but without sealed bearings, you’re going to be changing them often.

I believe Aerocet amphibs now have sealed bearings. Would they fit other floats? You’d have to ask Aerocet, I guess.

MTV

We would chuck all 12 bearings from various Wip 6000 in the bin every year back when I maintained them. Didn’t seem to make any difference going to chrome.

One operator of 8000 had a little better luck by literally getting down and greasing the axles after every single immersion to force the water out. He went thru a lot of ACG-2 but I guess it’s cheaper than new bearings every year.

Mike is correct that Aerocet has sealed bearings in their wheel assemblies now and they’re having great longevity with them, would be worth looking into.

Doesn't Wipair have a gravity fed oil bath bearing system now?

StillLearning wrote:Doesn't Wipair have a gravity fed oil bath bearing system now?

8750s have the oil bath system.

Just reached Aerocet. They say that their oil bath wheels would most certainly fit Wipaire's, but they cannot support it. At $2.700 each wheel I am not taking the plunge to verify it I guess.

I have flown Aerocets for four years now. Haven’t needed a bearing yet. Replaced the seals once because I had them apart to inspect. Usually don’t disassemble them. We just check the oil for quantity and for absence of water.

Check the Parker catalogue. They offer some seals. Perhaps some will fit yours.

I think McFarlane is also working on lip seals to replace felt seals.

There is a part number of Timken bearings that has a rubber seal built onto them. They do work better then the ones without.

Thanks for the replies and help. Tried to analyze the Timken Mammooth catalogue to no effect looking for those sealed ones, do they last longer or just don't degrade that much too soon to an unacceptable performance?