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Bearing Question

1917 Views 7 Replies 2 Participants Last post by  MX9799
What do the numbers and letters on a bearing stand for?

I have a few ones that are rough or seized on a giant maestro linkage, so I figured I’d replace all of them. There are six that say 6900 VRSU, two that say 6902 VRSU, and four that say 6802 VRSU. What does the VSRU mean? I can’t find any other bearings that have those letters, but plenty with the same numbers. Same with presses/extractors. The kits say the are for certain sized bearings, but none of the bearings listed have the letters mine do. Thanks.
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What do the numbers and letters on a bearing stand for?

I have a few ones that are rough or seized on a giant maestro linkage, so I figured I’d replace all of them. There are six that say 6900 VRSU, two that say 6902 VRSU, and four that say 6802 VRSU. What does the VSRU mean? I can’t find any other bearings that have those letters, but plenty with the same numbers. Same with presses/extractors. The kits say the are for certain sized bearings, but none of the bearings listed have the letters mine do. Thanks.
For the most part, the letters and numbers beyond the "6802" or "6900," etc. refer to seal configuration and/or type or other special features.

For example, "2RS" is generic for "2 Rubber Seals." I'm not sure what "VRSU" means in this case--likely a factory specific code for the seal configuration. However, with suspension pivots, you generally want to keep two things in mind:

1) They are high-load, low rotation so a full complement ("MAX") bearing is going to be best suited (stronger compared to a bearing of the same size with a bearing retainer/cage) and none of the friction downsides of a MAX bearing apply because the bearings don't even do a full rotation.

2) Unless the bearings are designed to be re-greased using a grease gun, you want them sealed on both sides.

Regarding the basic bearing numbers, they are usually reliable, but sometimes manufacturers take liberties or get lazy and don't use the numbers correctly. For example, they may mark a bearing "6800" which would be a 10 x 19 x 5, when, in fact it is 7mm wide and is actually a 63800 bearing. For most bearing tools, the width does not matter and a "6800" tool can usually service a 6800, 63800, or 3800 (8mm wide). At least we make our tools deep enough to handle all the possible widths.
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Thanks chris2fur. So if my thinking is correct, as long as I get enduro MAX bearings in a 6900, 6902, and 6802 I should be good to go. Also, as long as I get a press tool for those three bearing sizes I should be ok as well. Correct?
Thanks chris2fur. So if my thinking is correct, as long as I get enduro MAX bearings in a 6900, 6902, and 6802 I should be good to go. Also, as long as I get a press tool for those three bearing sizes I should be ok as well. Correct?
Yes, but I would consider getting a "kit" (if we have one listed for your frame). It's usually a bit cheaper and you know you are getting all the bearings you need. Also, definitely check out the Modular tools vs the dedicated size tools, as going with the ID and OD parts can sometimes cover several bearings sizes with fewer parts. Let me know if you have any questions or if you don't see your frame year and model listed.
Yes, but I would consider getting a "kit" (if we have one listed for your frame). It's usually a bit cheaper and you know you are getting all the bearings you need. Also, definitely check out the Modular tools vs the dedicated size tools, as going with the ID and OD parts can sometimes cover several bearings sizes with fewer parts. Let me know if you have any questions or if you don't see your frame year and model listed.
Christ2fur,
I can’t find my frame listed anywhere for a kit. It’s a 2020 giant reign e+1 pro. I can’t even find the oem giant part numbers. I’m also not sure what you mean by a modular tool. Can you expand on that or post a link to an example?
Christ2fur,
I can’t find my frame listed anywhere for a kit. It’s a 2020 giant reign e+1 pro. I can’t even find the oem giant part numbers. I’m also not sure what you mean by a modular tool. Can you expand on that or post a link to an example?
We don't have a lot of e-Bikes listed, but it happens that your Reign e+1 matches the standard Reign bearing kit from 2018-19:

GIANT REIGN BEARING KIT, 2018-19

This kit will contain all 12 bearings in MAX version. The bearings will also have a "black oxide" finish on them, giving them a bit more corrosion resistance than the plain finish.
Regarding the modular tools, we have some charts that help walk you through the selection, but I'll do it here for you. Your three bearing sizes have the following IDs: 6802 = 15mm, 6902 = 15mm, and 6900 = 10mm. This means you only need 2 bearing extraction guides for the three bearings: 10mm and 15mm. You'll find them on this page:
INSIDE DIAMETER BEARING EXTRACTION PILOT

Next, determine the OD of each bearing: 6802 = 24mm, 6902 = 28mm, and 6900 = 22mm. So, you need to select those three sizes of "extraction cups" from this page:
OUTSIDE DIAMETER BEARING CUP

Then for pressing back in, you need guides specific to each bearing. So, that would be SBG-6802, SBG-6902, and SBG-6900. They are on this page:
INDIVIDUAL BEARING PILOT GUIDES

Finally, the handle set that allows the pressing action for removal and installation is here:
RWC HANDLE SET FOR MODULAR BEARING TOOLS

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Great help chris2fur. Thanks for that. I’ll get that stuff ordered on Monday when I get back to work. Huge thanks.
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