Side-to-side play in swingarm?
Posted: 09:20 am Jun 04 2018
Hello.
I am re-doing the suspension on a 2005 KDX-200. After replacing the swingarm bearings, I noticed that the swingarm can be moved from side to side (about 3/16"). It is not sloppy loose, but I can pry it back and forth easily with a screw driver. All parts in the bearing kit are same as what came off, and same as parts diagram. Is this normal? Not sure I like it. If pushed all the way to one side, the seal almost comes out of the swingarm hole. Seems like it would be pumping water into the bearing if it moved around when riding in mud. Any chance it is not a stock KDX swingarm, or a different year?
Anyhow, I went to Ace hardware and found some 1" i.d. thin bushing washers - two different thicknesses (14 ga and 18 ga). I put one thin and one think on each side, and now there is no side-to side slack. The washers are not tight against the frame or swingarm - they do not cause any resistance to up/down movement. The washers ride on the rubber-covered bearing endcaps, outside from the sealing surface. I have photos, but my camera isn't here now.
I am re-doing the suspension on a 2005 KDX-200. After replacing the swingarm bearings, I noticed that the swingarm can be moved from side to side (about 3/16"). It is not sloppy loose, but I can pry it back and forth easily with a screw driver. All parts in the bearing kit are same as what came off, and same as parts diagram. Is this normal? Not sure I like it. If pushed all the way to one side, the seal almost comes out of the swingarm hole. Seems like it would be pumping water into the bearing if it moved around when riding in mud. Any chance it is not a stock KDX swingarm, or a different year?
Anyhow, I went to Ace hardware and found some 1" i.d. thin bushing washers - two different thicknesses (14 ga and 18 ga). I put one thin and one think on each side, and now there is no side-to side slack. The washers are not tight against the frame or swingarm - they do not cause any resistance to up/down movement. The washers ride on the rubber-covered bearing endcaps, outside from the sealing surface. I have photos, but my camera isn't here now.