How To: Clean Your Bearingscompetitionx.com /rc-how-tos/how-to-clean-your-bearings/

I’m like most of you; I love getting my ride out in the dirt or mud and having some fun! I always say, though,that even though you spend the day getting your car dirty or muddy, you had BETTER spend the daycleaning your car as well!

Clean cars are happy cars; that is my mantra when it comes to my rides. That brings me to one of the mostneglected parts of any RC car – the bearings.

Almost the entire bearing is made of metal, which means if you get it wet, it will rust. Since it’s also hasmoving parts, if you get it dirty, it will just continually grind the dirt into the metal until it finally fails … andthen you have to replace it anyway.

A little maintenance now will save you a headache later as well as a few bucks.

CompetitionX has put together a quick and easy method for cleaning your bearings. It requires a can ofelectric motor spray (I like Performance Plus 4 from T.A. Emerald), RPM’s Bearing Blaster and, of course,your dirty bearings.

1. Get Ready to Blast

First gather up your dirty bearings. You can do them all at once or only a certain few at a time. RPM’sBearing Blaster will accept most wheel bearings, diff bearings, steering bearings and transmissionbearings. If you need a Blaster that will handle larger bearings, check out RPM’s Mega Bearing Blaster.

2. Prep Your Parts

Since you’re about to spray the dirt out of your bearings, I suggest taking a paper towel and folding it overa few times to act as the liquid catcher. This will keep mom (or wife, or girlfriend) from slapping you upside

the head when you get dirty spray all over her table.

3. Blast Away

Set your bearing into the lower Blaster half and dtop the other Blaster half on top. Using the tube that camewith your RC motor spray, insert it into the hole and blast away. Use short bursts to help loosen the dirt.You may have to do this a few times on each side depending on how dirty the bearings are.

4. Admire Your Work

Pull the bearing out and check its condition. As you can see from this picture, there was only a little dirt inthis particular bearing. I’ve had some that look like they’ve been sitting in mud for years.

5. Just Add Oil

Once you’re satisfied with the condition of your bearing, add a single drop of LIGHT bearing oil. This onedrop will lube the bearing as well as help protect it from further contamination.

Now re-install your bearings and watch how much faster you car goes! Just don’t tell your friends yourspeed secret!