"Better" ball bearings for the Pulleys
Thread Starter
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Joined: May 2018
Posts: 1,573
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From: Munich - Germany
Just had a phone call with my ball bearing dealer. He could source me the Nachi or other bearings with a non-friction, labyrinth rubber seal, but he still highly reccommends the steel shields. The reason is that the rubber seals are only good for 110°C / 230°F. The bearings with the steel shields are rated for 150°C / 300°F, that´s when the grease starts to drop away. As the heat form the engine block is transfered into the bearing via the attaching bolts, i think his reccomendation makes sense.
Ohkay... any more information about "Wich Bearing!"?
Ohkay... any more information about "Wich Bearing!"?
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Joined: Jul 2021
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From: Madison, WI
I want to summarize the three pages of discussion and all the bearings mentioned down to an "easy answer" but the only ones I can find from a quick Google search are the shielded bearing mentioned in the OP and the OEM idler bearing 6203LU (above). Any consensus on which is the better choice? Link to a different bearing that's better?
SKF 6203-2Z-C3, 17x40x12, listed in the OP:
NTN 6203LU, 17x40x12, OEM replacement idler bearing (but the actual OEM bearing is Nachi??): https://www.motion.com/products/sku/02138714
SKF 6203-2Z-C3, 17x40x12, listed in the OP:
NTN 6203LU, 17x40x12, OEM replacement idler bearing (but the actual OEM bearing is Nachi??): https://www.motion.com/products/sku/02138714
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 1,573
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From: Munich - Germany
The shielded bearings dont have a 100% dust seal, this maybe affect their lonegvitiy a little bit compared to the ones with the correct high speed capable rubber seal, the LU.
I have a hard time to get the LU one here, therefore i simply buy the shielded ones at my local dealer.
NTN and NACHI are both top Quality manufacturers and OEM in any japanese car and motorcycle. No difference between both in my opinion. Buy with Confidence.
I have a hard time to get the LU one here, therefore i simply buy the shielded ones at my local dealer.
NTN and NACHI are both top Quality manufacturers and OEM in any japanese car and motorcycle. No difference between both in my opinion. Buy with Confidence.
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From: Long Island, New York
If you want the ultimate bearings, find out what bearings are in the alternator.
Im guessing they spin around 20k RPM, yet I have never seen, or read about, a bad alternator bearing in the S2000.
Im guessing they spin around 20k RPM, yet I have never seen, or read about, a bad alternator bearing in the S2000.
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 386
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Came across this while doing some research:
https://ibtinc.com/bearing-seals-vs-shields/
I guess it's these bearings: Koyo 6203 2RDC3
https://www.motion.com/products/sku/02191147
(Not affiliated with any companies mentioned. I actually just installed SKF bearings myself or I'd try these.)
Koyo Offers A Better Solution—The RD Type Sealed Ball Bearing
What if there was a third option that was the best of both worlds?—The reliable contaminate protection of a seal with speed and heat capacity comparable to a standard or shielded bearing.
Koyo introduced the RD Type (Light Contact) Sealed Ball bearings for exactly that purpose. Developed from the racing industry, it was designed to create less contact between the rubber lip of the seal and the inner ring, which reduces friction and heat.
The improved seal technology allows the Koyo RD bearing to operate at up to 90% of open bearing speeds, while reducing contamination linked to early bearing failure. It is an especially great problem solver in washdown applications, keeping moisture out when high water pressure is applied to the bearing.
What if there was a third option that was the best of both worlds?—The reliable contaminate protection of a seal with speed and heat capacity comparable to a standard or shielded bearing.
Koyo introduced the RD Type (Light Contact) Sealed Ball bearings for exactly that purpose. Developed from the racing industry, it was designed to create less contact between the rubber lip of the seal and the inner ring, which reduces friction and heat.
The improved seal technology allows the Koyo RD bearing to operate at up to 90% of open bearing speeds, while reducing contamination linked to early bearing failure. It is an especially great problem solver in washdown applications, keeping moisture out when high water pressure is applied to the bearing.
I guess it's these bearings: Koyo 6203 2RDC3
https://www.motion.com/products/sku/02191147
(Not affiliated with any companies mentioned. I actually just installed SKF bearings myself or I'd try these.)