Wheel Bearing Codes

bcware

bcware

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I am trying to find suitable replacement bearings for my '78 2E. I have checked some suppliers for the numbers and this is what I get:

Front right: 6302
Front left: 6302
Rear right: 6303
Rear left: 6304ZZ

Only the rear left has a suffix (ZZ), but none of the others do on the site I checked (bikebandit). The supplier has several options available 6302-2RS, 6302ZZ, 6302NR, and more...

Which ones should I get? Will the different choice affect fitment or just the type of shielding? Why not use ZZ all around?

Do wheel bearings typically need to be greased or do they come pre-packed?



To make this thread less useless, here is a common list of suffixes and what they mean:

Code: 
Suffix RS, LU, DU, RSR, E
Bearing with one rubber seal
Example 6205 LU

Suffix 2RS, 2RSH, 2RS1, LLU, DDU, 2RSR, EE
bearing with two rubber seals
Example 6205 LLU

Suffix Z, ZR 
bearing with one metal shield
Example 6205 ZR

Suffix 2Z, 2ZR, ZZ
bearing with two metal shields
Example 6205 2Z

Suffix NR
bearing with snap ring groove & snap ring
Example 6205 NR

Suffix RSNR
bearing with one rubber seal & snap ring groove with snap ring
Example 6205 RSNR

Suffix 2RSNR, 2RS1NR, 2RSHNR, 2RSRNR, LLUNR, DDUNR, EENR
bearing with two rubber seals & snap ring groove with snap ring
Example 6205 2RS1NR

Suffix 2ZNR, ZZNR, 2ZRNR
bearing with two metal shields & snap ring groove with snap ring
Example 6205 2ZNR

Suffix ZNR
bearing with one metal shield & snap ring groove with snap ring
Example 6205 ZNR

Suffix M, MA, MB, ML, MP, BR
bearing with brass cage
Example 6318 MA

Suffix ETN9, TNH, TN, ETVP2, TN9, ETVP, TVP, ECP, E.G15, ET, ETN, ET2X
bearing with polymide plastic cage
Example N205 ETN9

Suffix C2, F3
bearing with internal clearance smaller than normal
Example 6205 C2

Suffix C3, J30, F4 
bearing with internal clearance greater than normal
Example 6205 C3

Suffix C4
bearing with internal clearance greater than C3
Example 6205 C4

Suffix C5
bearing with internal clearance greater than C4
Example 6205 C5

Suffix GJN
bearing with high temp grease -30 to +150 ºC
Example 6205 GJN

Suffix HT
bearing with high temp grease -40 to +150 ºC
Example 6205 HT

Suffix WT
bearing with high temp grease -40 to +160 ºC
Example 6205 WT

Suffix VL0241
bearing with aluminium oxide coated outside surface of the outer ring for electrical resistance up to 1000 V DC
Example 6317 MC3VL0241

Suffix VL2071
bearing with aluminium oxide coated outside surface of the inner ring for electrical resistance up to 1000 V DC
Example 6324 C3VL2071
 
I haven't gotten into the fronts, only the rears. For my 1982 SJ the bearings I took out were:

Smaller bearing - 6303Z
Larger bearing - 6304Z

Now, both look completely sealed and pregreased, so I'm not sure about the coding above. I got replacements when I broke down my wheel for powdercoating, but my wheel is currently getting the tire put on and balanced, so I can't confirm what the new bearings are.
 
I just took the old ones in and they found appropriate replacements (if i kept the box's I would have numbers for you!). The ones I got were prepacked with grease. I opted for paying a few more bucks per bearing for japanese made as opposed to chinese made. Mind you they are a bit of a prick to get out if you dont have a proper bearing puller, but where there is a will there is a way:boxing:
 
its good to keep the seal ones.

I use the rubber ones in wheel bearings and cooler applications as they seal better. the metal ones are really for hot environments where the rubber will deteriorate.
you should stick to open ones in gearboxes as the oil will wash through them and keep them cool. exception being the output bearing where ones side should be sealed facing the front sprocket.

the sealed ones don't need greasing and you can't re-grease them anyway only replace.
 
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