Swing arm question
- Thread starter Rabbitist
- Start date
If you have a big enough vise, just use a socket as close to the bearing OD as possible and press them out. You may have to watch for deflection of the swingarm to avoid binding things up. A little heat from a propane torch on the aluminum can expand the arm and let the bearings slide out easier. Putting the new bearings in the freezer can aid pressing them back in. I use Bel Ray moly assembly lube and then coat axle grease on top of that before final assembly.
May have to use a small press if your vice is too small. I got a 12T one cheap from Harbor Freight.
May have to use a small press if your vice is too small. I got a 12T one cheap from Harbor Freight.
stainlesscycle
Site Sponsor
socket + vice works well. you will need a big 'receiver socket' to catch the old bearings. be careful with alignment when you press the new ones in. assembly lube, and finish with lots of waterproof grease is recommended. this job is lots easier with 2 people, as fumbling with socket alignment while holding swingarm square and turning the vice handle into position is tough alone. once you get the old bearing preloaded it'll move easy. that first twist of the vice is always a little unnerving.. keep in mind, to slowly set the depth of the new ones, if you go to far, it can be very hard (if not impossible to do without damaging the cages) on the bearings pushing them back out.. once you get one done you'll pop the others in pretty quickly..
GasGas
New member
I had made up a big bar that I clamp in the vise with the proper diameter and thread on the end with a collar and nut. It's been so long since I used it, I forget what it looks like. It's at my brothers shop now or I would post a picture of it. It was just a matter of turning the nut with a wrench to press them in and out.
wasp4banger
New member
+1 on the use of the vice. I'd put the new bearings in with the outside surface coated with coppaslip. The seals in the all balls kit are better than the o-rings which were standard on mine. There is less sticktion with seals. Not everyone here will agree though.
pscook
Platinum Level Site Supporter
Here's my first official post, so hi!
Anyway, I replaced my linkage bearings today, simply done. I used my bench vise and turned it so that the wheel end of the swinger was resting on the bench. I used a 13/16 deep socket to press out and a 1 1/4 shallow socket to receive the old bearing. The most important thing to remember is that you must remove the lip seals, or you are fighting a losing battle. The triple bearings in my linkage were so nasty that I had to chip the seal out, heat the outside of the linkage, and shock the press with a BAMFH after soaking with penetrating oil. Here are the pics of the swingarm, I didn't get pics of the linkage. Just know that the swinger is harder than the linkage, so once you do this, everything else is easy.
Note that the swingarm (on 2002 models, anyway) is asymmetrical around the bearing. The right side is "lower" than the left, thereby creating interference if you try to press from the right. However, when you need to press in the right side bearing, just use a shallow socket instead of the deep socket.
Anyway, I replaced my linkage bearings today, simply done. I used my bench vise and turned it so that the wheel end of the swinger was resting on the bench. I used a 13/16 deep socket to press out and a 1 1/4 shallow socket to receive the old bearing. The most important thing to remember is that you must remove the lip seals, or you are fighting a losing battle. The triple bearings in my linkage were so nasty that I had to chip the seal out, heat the outside of the linkage, and shock the press with a BAMFH after soaking with penetrating oil. Here are the pics of the swingarm, I didn't get pics of the linkage. Just know that the swinger is harder than the linkage, so once you do this, everything else is easy.
Note that the swingarm (on 2002 models, anyway) is asymmetrical around the bearing. The right side is "lower" than the left, thereby creating interference if you try to press from the right. However, when you need to press in the right side bearing, just use a shallow socket instead of the deep socket.
stainlesscycle
Site Sponsor
that's pretty much exactly how i do it.
cascade_crawler
New member
I never liked using the vise for this other than holding the swingarm in place. Too much fumbling with sockets, the vice, and the swingarm for my liking. I tack welded the "receiver socket" to the bottom part of a large C clamp so I only had to hold the "driver socket" and used the C clamp as my press. Ive also just used a socket on an old extension with a hammer. Just remember to use plenty of grease!! 
Jakobi
Super Moderator
Yep! Same deal as I use.. Just like one of these..
http://www.motionpro.com/motorcycle/tools/category/swingarm_bearing_tool/
