Wheel bearings for 2004 Foreman 450

[prdicon]

Which wheel bearings brand is best?

Also, I know 2 seals come with each bearings. But there is also a small seal, what is it for?

[Mech]

If the small seal is an O ring it might be for under the nut that holds the hub onto the shaft.

You should get a service manual and it will show all the parts and explain what's involved.

Edited December 17, 2023 by Mech

[prdicon]

Do I need to buy this o ring to? It doesn't come in this set 

East Lake Axle replacement for Front wheel bearings & seals kit Honda TRX 400/450 1995 1996 1997 1998-2004 https://a.co/d/gDt3mYN

 

[Gwbarm]

I think i would, while you are in there, it would be good to go ahead and replace it, it is approaching 20 yrs old. I  think aftermarket bearings are fine i havent had any problems with them, just make sure you pack them really good with grease upon installation.

[Mech]

That kit is for both sides and I only see housing seals in the kit. I'm not sure what small seal you are meaning. The O ring I'm mentioning is to stop water getting under the hub nut and making it's way along the cv shaft and into the bearing housing. Apart from keeping water out of the housing, it stops the shaft rusting into the hub.

It says the bearings are OEM which stands for original equipment manufacturer, so they should be from the honda parts department. They aren't in honda parts packaging though so I'd be a bit dubious about that. Even more suspect is that the enlarged pictures of the bearings don't seem to have any bearing number stamped into them as I'd suspect. Good makes, like timken, skf, nsk, koyo, always have the bearing number stamped into one edge. Bearings do vary a lot and you can buy bearings that range in price by a ratio of three to one, and they have the quality to match.

[Gwbarm]

Good eye Mech, i had to look for it. It does say OEM but from reading the reviews i dont think they are, not bad reviews, just the way some were worded, like they were surprized they fit perfectly.

[Mech]

Anybody that isn't willing to put their name to their work or product has to be suspect..  haha.

All the reputable bearings have the makers name on the races.

I was fitting honda ct90 front brakes to wheelbarrows years ago and decided I'd go with cheap bearings, $8.00 instead of $24.00, and I was surprised how crappy the cheap ones were.