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Posted: 09:40 am Dec 03 2005
by Ryan
well i got them out with some sockets, and now i need to get some new ones and put them back in. Getting them in the right amount will be the challenging part. Now i just got to find the best prices on bearings. I dont think im gonna replace the linkage, unless you guys say i should. But im gonna get the swingarm and rear shock lower bearings rreplaced.

Posted: 12:09 pm Dec 03 2005
by m0rie
I'd check the linkage bearings and replace them if they don't work correctly after a good cleaning.

Posted: 01:18 pm Dec 03 2005
by skipro3
Congrats freak. Glad you gave it a go. Like I said, I pressed mine in by chilling/heating to afore mentioned parts and used a C clamp that had a face just shy of the bearing size on the screw end and a piece of flat stock metal on the other side to work against. Then I placed the bearing over the opening, and cranked on the c clamp until it was pushed just the right depth. If you press too far, just reverse the clamp and press back the other way. You may have to take the swingarm or linkage into a tool shop to find the right c clamp, or get creative and modify one. The socket you used could also be incorporated to press in the bearing with the c clamp. But what ever you use, don't bang on it to drive the bearing in; the shock will distort the cage and the needles won't roll. I know. I did that.
If the orginoal bearings clean up well, (I used carb cleaner and WD-40) then repacked with waterproof grease, (I used BelRAy blue stuff), reassemble and feel how much play you have in the parts. YOur manual explains how to determine how much movement you can expect with serviceable bearings I think.

Again, good job; tackling this on your own. YOu remind me of myself at that age.

Posted: 01:32 pm Dec 03 2005
by KDXGarage
Good job on getting them out yourself. DO try not to beat them back into place. Someone earlier mentioned a threaded rod (it's like a bolt with no head), some nuts and washers. You can build a puller like that also.

Posted: 05:27 pm Dec 03 2005
by IdahoCharley
Note to self - I've gotta learn to read all the thread before I post.

Posted: 05:31 pm Dec 03 2005
by KDXGarage
That's a great idea! Any non-motorcycle shop can do it just as well as a motorcycle shop. It's more metalworking than a motorcycle task, anyway.

Posted: 08:23 pm Dec 03 2005
by Ryan
ya i think im gonna call some places up to see how much it will cost just to put new ones in. I would do it myself but i cant afford to ruin the bearings. If it is too much then you guys can help me get them back in( by providing 3 pages of in depth instructions) :grin:

Posted: 09:00 pm Dec 03 2005
by KDXGarage
Go to your local hardware store and look for a threaded rod just small enough to fit through the bearing. Get two or three nuts to thread on the rod, plus some washers. Get some washers too big to fit in the hole on one side and just small enough to fit inside on the other side. Turn the nut to pull the bearing into the swingarm bearing hole. Be sure to put the bearings in separate freezer bags, then let them set for several hours. Use anti-seize grease so that they will go in easier and be easier to remove the next time.

Posted: 09:17 pm Dec 03 2005
by KDX220PHIL
Great info Jason, very useful! :supz:

Posted: 10:09 pm Dec 03 2005
by Ryan
hmm sounds like a great idea. They wont get crushed or anything right??

Posted: 12:39 am Dec 04 2005
by KDXGarage
Guys, my post was basically a longer explanation of someone's earleir post... :cool:

It was m0rie's.

If you get some money for the holidays, you might consider the purchase of an arbor press and bearing driver kit from Harbor Freight. When I win the lottery, I am going to get the Kawasaki bearing driver kit, but until then, the $9.99 (sometimes $15) kit seems OK. I used it and my shop press to get out the shock's lower bearing (the smallest one in the linkage piece).