Bearing failure

While I was staying in General Pico, I ordered a replacement rear tire from Mercado Libre in Bahia Blanca.

This time, the tire is a Brazilian-made Rinaldi.

Since there are no unpaved roads until my next tire change, and the Dunlop tires wore out after about 7,900 km, I decided they weren’t worth paying twice as much as Rinaldi tires for.

They cost AR$107.237, approximately USD 75, at Mercado Libre.

The Dunlop D604s cost AR$230.000, approximately USD 161.

When I removed the rear wheel, I found something unusual.

It turns out the bearing was broken.

I’m not sure when this broke, but I’m glad I found out before an accident happened.

I immediately looked up the model number in the manual.

This is a 6204UU bearing, number 28.

I wanted a Japanese-made bearing, and luckily I found a bearing shop in Bahia Blanca.

I purchased bearings from NSK Ltd.

The 6204U bearing that was broken this time cost AR$9,500, approximately USD 6.56.

I also replaced the rear wheel bearings at the same time.

These are 6203U bearings, costing AR$5,000 each, approximately USD 3.45.

I also purchased the corresponding bearings for the front wheel for when I replace them next time.

These are 6202U bearings, costing AR$4,900 each, approximately USD 3.11.

Since this is my first time replacing bearings, I searched on YouTube and learned that I can remove them without special tools by using a grip anchor.

However, the only type I could buy in Argentina was the screw-in type, not the drive-in type.

This meant I would also need to purchase a separate, longer T-wrench that fit the screw heads, so that was out of the question.

I have no choice but to search for a specialized device.

Basic equipment is not available in Argentina and must be imported from China.

The price is AR$55.712, approximately USD 39.

That’s a bit expensive.

Incidentally, in Brazil…

The same item is R$79.9, approximately USD 15.81.

I see.

So, this means I shouldn’t buy it in Argentina.

I’m going to Brazil in two months, so I’ll buy it then.

Since the broken bearing won’t come off part number 11, I’ll contact Taller in Bahia Blanca to have them replace it.

I found it on Google Maps and contacted them via WhatsApp.

I also asked about the price beforehand before going there.

It was finished in about 20 minutes.

The amount was AR$30,000, approximately USD 20.37.

This is cheap for Argentina.

I went back and installed it.

Incidentally, I also checked the air filter, as I’d driven about 5,700km since the last time I changed it.

It was clean, only lightly dusted, so I will continue to use it without replacing it.

Date of work: June 17, 2026