Quick question! - Tusk crank installer

Got questions? We got answers....
Post Reply
User avatar
SS109
KDXRider.net
KDXRider.net
Posts: 5770
Joined: 05:11 am Aug 23 2009
Country: USA
Location: Tucson, AZ, USA
Contact:

Quick question! - Tusk crank installer

Post by SS109 »

Getting ready to place an order with RMATV and was thinking I should get one of the Tusk crank installers to make the job easier. Anyone used one these and specifically on the KDX?
Youtube Channel: WildAzzRacing
AZ State Parks & Trails OHV Ambassador - Trail Riders of Southern AZ
Current KDX: '98 KDX220
Old KDX: '90 KDX200 -White/Blue
'11 GasGas EC250R
User avatar
Mr. Wibbens
KDXRider.net
KDXRider.net
Posts: 4884
Joined: 02:57 am Nov 07 2004
Country:
Location: Playing in the Poison Oak
Contact:

Post by Mr. Wibbens »

Tried

It won't work on a KDX (at least not on an E)

The crank must have 10 or 12mm threads.
Warning! This member tends to use sarcasm as a regular form of communication. If a post seems offensive, before you panic and fly off the handle, re-read the post and imagine it being said with a sideways grin.
((Bike Profile))
((Pics))
FIVE OUT OF FOUR PEOPLE DONUT UNDERSTAND FRACTIONS
User avatar
Grayhorse
Member
Posts: 43
Joined: 09:54 pm Dec 01 2005
Country:

Post by Grayhorse »

I bought one, it would not fit my 96.
96 KDX 200 H2
User avatar
JoKDX220r
Gold Member
Gold Member
Posts: 201
Joined: 04:04 pm Oct 03 2008
Country:

Post by JoKDX220r »

Mabey this link can help you :
http://www.kdxrider.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=6394
It's in the product review section.
User avatar
Julien D
KDXRider.net
KDXRider.net
Posts: 5858
Joined: 07:53 pm Nov 07 2008
Country: USA
Contact:

Post by Julien D »

Using the hot and cold method to reassemble, the crank installer should not be needed anyway.
Image
User avatar
SS109
KDXRider.net
KDXRider.net
Posts: 5770
Joined: 05:11 am Aug 23 2009
Country: USA
Location: Tucson, AZ, USA
Contact:

Post by SS109 »

>|<>QBB<
JoKDX220r wrote:Mabey this link can help you :
http://www.kdxrider.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=6394
It's in the product review section.
Wow, somehow I overlooked that thread. Thanks a bunch guys as you saved me $60!
Youtube Channel: WildAzzRacing
AZ State Parks & Trails OHV Ambassador - Trail Riders of Southern AZ
Current KDX: '98 KDX220
Old KDX: '90 KDX200 -White/Blue
'11 GasGas EC250R
User avatar
Slick_Nick
Supporting Member
Posts: 1675
Joined: 10:06 pm Oct 22 2009
Country: Canada
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Contact:

Post by Slick_Nick »

I bought it and love it! You need to sweat the left side of the crank into the case, but the other side works great to seal the cases together and pull the crank into the bearing.

Don't know why people don't like it? :roll:
'00 KDX 220R
User avatar
Julien D
KDXRider.net
KDXRider.net
Posts: 5858
Joined: 07:53 pm Nov 07 2008
Country: USA
Contact:

Post by Julien D »

>|<>QBB<
Slick_Nick wrote:I bought it and love it! You need to sweat the left side of the crank into the case, but the other side works great to seal the cases together and pull the crank into the bearing.

Don't know why people don't like it? :roll:
Cuz it's a waste of cash that could be spent on new bearings?
User avatar
Slick_Nick
Supporting Member
Posts: 1675
Joined: 10:06 pm Oct 22 2009
Country: Canada
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Contact:

Post by Slick_Nick »

>|<>QBB<
juliend wrote:>|<>QBB<
Slick_Nick wrote:I bought it and love it! You need to sweat the left side of the crank into the case, but the other side works great to seal the cases together and pull the crank into the bearing.

Don't know why people don't like it? :roll:
Cuz it's a waste of cash that could be spent on new bearings?
How is a tool that performs it's desired function and makes your life easier a waste of cash? Money well spent as far as I'm concerned.
'00 KDX 220R
User avatar
Julien D
KDXRider.net
KDXRider.net
Posts: 5858
Joined: 07:53 pm Nov 07 2008
Country: USA
Contact:

Post by Julien D »

Never needed one, and I see no reason to spend $60 on something to make a 10 minute job take 7 minutes. If the only thing it helps with is seating the left case half...

If you like it though, that's cool. It's good that you feel your money was well spent. I just see no reason why I would need it. I've never had a hard time getting a crank back IN. Out is a different story....
dfeckel
Platinum Member
Platinum Member
Posts: 644
Joined: 07:46 am Nov 09 2009
Country:

Post by dfeckel »

So the Tusk tool will work on only one side of the crank, correct?

I personally might get it next time I rebuild the bottom end because I have a tough time getting the cases close enough together to get any bolts started. I use a press to get one side of the crank installed in one case half, but getting the other case half on far enough to start any case bolts is tough. I think last time I had to rig somthing with the long bolts that came with my case splitter.

Maybe it would have gone easier if I heated up the left case half before dropping it on. The wife loves it when I stink up the kitchen with case halves on the skillet!
David Eckel
User avatar
SS109
KDXRider.net
KDXRider.net
Posts: 5770
Joined: 05:11 am Aug 23 2009
Country: USA
Location: Tucson, AZ, USA
Contact:

Post by SS109 »

Here is some info I found on another site to install the bearings and it can be used for the crank as well if your careful and fast.
Thier is another way to deal with bearings and I'm suprised no one has mentioned this in the past. I think 2t institute probably knows this trick. What we are talking about is something called thermal differential it is the swing in the temp range to fit things together that have an iterference fit. That means the space between the bearing and hole in this case measures around a human hair cut into 1/4ths yes a very small difference.
So creating a temp difference between the hole and the bearing needs to be around 200 degrees f. heat exspands cold shrinks.Ok hear it is dry ice and lacqure thinner or acetone will get you well bellow minus 150 degrees.So drop the bearing in the mix for a few minutes pull it out it out with kitchen thongs and it will drop right ih the hole. I find this easier than dealing with really hot case halfs. Again bearings at minus 150 case halfs at 70 degrees gives you a temp swing of 220 degrees.
Youtube Channel: WildAzzRacing
AZ State Parks & Trails OHV Ambassador - Trail Riders of Southern AZ
Current KDX: '98 KDX220
Old KDX: '90 KDX200 -White/Blue
'11 GasGas EC250R
User avatar
Slick_Nick
Supporting Member
Posts: 1675
Joined: 10:06 pm Oct 22 2009
Country: Canada
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Contact:

Post by Slick_Nick »

Problem with the heat freeze method is that on the kdx, the seals are installed from the inside so you need to be REAL careful with the blowtorch so u don't melt the seal. I've tried dry ice for the crank, and also just leaving it in the freezer overnight and didn't notice any difference when compared with the dry ice. Dropped in just as easy.

The crank installer helps make sure the case halves are fully seated before trying to bolt it together. Using bolts to bring the cases together is not the proper way and can warp the case halves.
'00 KDX 220R
User avatar
Julien D
KDXRider.net
KDXRider.net
Posts: 5858
Joined: 07:53 pm Nov 07 2008
Country: USA
Contact:

Post by Julien D »

>|<>QBB<
Slick_Nick wrote:Problem with the heat freeze method is that on the kdx, the seals are installed from the inside so you need to be REAL careful with the blowtorch so u don't melt the seal. I've tried dry ice for the crank, and also just leaving it in the freezer overnight and didn't notice any difference when compared with the dry ice. Dropped in just as easy.

The crank installer helps make sure the case halves are fully seated before trying to bolt it together. Using bolts to bring the cases together is not the proper way and can warp the case halves.
I'd never use a blowtorch near the seals, or on any case half if I can help it. You're much more likely to warp the case with a blowtorch, it's hard to keep even heat.

Bearings and crank go in the freezer over night. Case halves go in the oven @ about 175 - 200 degrees. Drop the seals and bearings in. Like butta! After everything comes back to room temp, the case halves with bearings and seals installed go BACK in the oven for another round. Crank drops through the RH case, LH case slides over.

Of course, the dry ice method will work too, and keep you from having to heat the cases.

All done :)
User avatar
SS109
KDXRider.net
KDXRider.net
Posts: 5770
Joined: 05:11 am Aug 23 2009
Country: USA
Location: Tucson, AZ, USA
Contact:

Post by SS109 »

Man, I'm glad I started this thread now. I'm getting some reminders of things I had forgotten.
Youtube Channel: WildAzzRacing
AZ State Parks & Trails OHV Ambassador - Trail Riders of Southern AZ
Current KDX: '98 KDX220
Old KDX: '90 KDX200 -White/Blue
'11 GasGas EC250R
Post Reply