Wasted $'s on Magnum Tapered Bearing Carrier

[TES]

Shipment just arrived today from www.dirt-deals.com and unfortunately I received a carrier that has the grease zerk on the middle of the shaft / between the bearings. What the heck -- I don't get it -- what good is this? The directions even say (after hand packing the bearings) to install it and then fill the zerk up with grease -- like, how the heck am I suppose to get to it? I'm not going to cut some big notch in the swing arm. (need to rotate to adjust chain)

The most frustrating thing is that I specifically asked if it had an external zerk on the end -- they kind of played dumb and said yes. I trusted them since their website shows pictures of carriers witht the zerk on the end. I had read that Tom Batts got his at www.cdracingonline.com, yet I also read on this site that someone else got the type of carrier I received from this vendor, which prompted me to go elsewhere. Learning the hard way I guess -- so much for trying to save a buck -- paid $229 + shipping. Their website states they except returns (hopefully this holds true), yet I'm wasting $10 each way on shipping. ! I should have paid retail from RAD.

Ok -- I'm done venting. On the bright side -- I also received my new Durablue +4 axle today from another vendor -- looks sweet!

[Jeb]

I could be wrong here, but on the hondas with eccentric chain adjustment, cant you install the bearing carrier on the axle and then slide the whole assembly through the swingarm from one side???????

That way you pump the grease in the carrier with axle already installed in the carrier before you slide it all into the swingarm. On my 85 R, it slides in from the sprocket side. then you can put on the brake hub and lock nuts on the other side after sliding the carrier and axle through as a unit.

You couldn't add grease during routine maintenence with-out dissasembling it though.

[TES]

Good point Jeb -- I didn't look at it that way. (haven't even disassembled yet -- my service manual should arrive any day)

Yet I was still hoping to add grease without removal.

I just called dirt-deals.com -- talked to 2 different people, and they claim the still get directly from RAD and they changed the design. They'll return it, yet they assure me I'll get the same thing directly from RAD.

Does RAD engrave all of their carriers? I see them with RAD and a product number on the sides in the pictures I've seen.

[TimSr]

I drilled a hole, about 3/4" in my swingarm, and used a removeable rubber plug to access mine. The easier it is to get to, the more likely youll use it.

[TES]

I just spoke with RAD and they claim that this is the way the '85's are made vs. the '86's. He stated there is not enough room by the sprocket on the '85's for the zerk fitting. I didn't argue with him, yet I stated I've seen '85's with the side zerk. (i.e. Tom Batts and I belive Joel Morris had the same set-up) RAD rep claimed they must have done a whole swap out to '86 or they are an '86 -- whatever. I thanked him for the info and moved on.

Oh well, I guess it will work. It's just frustrating to spend that much money and not have the flexibility to add grease over time without disassembly.

I guess my only other issue is it seems it would be pretty hard to hand pack these bearings when there's very little room -- they stress not to removed the seals. I'm use to packing bearings in the palm of my hand -- not sticking a finger in this little grove. I'll give it a shot and hope for the best.

[hrc200x]

From your info in your first post it sounds like you read my reply to your question a week or so ago, sorry to hear you had problems. A '86 350x I got also has a hole in the middle of the swing arm to grease the hidden zerk. I guess water can't get to the bearings through this hole, but after awhile I suppose it might start binding up when you try adjusting the chain from sand and dirt getting in there.

[TES]

Yes, I read your earlier post -- I was hoping if I went through a different vendor I wouldn't have the same experience you had. Oh well, I'll make it work, yet I feel I could have saved $40 if I went through the same vendor you did. Thanks for the reply.

[jeswinehart]

i too added zirks to the rear bearing carrier ( also the swing arm pivots + rear foot brake lever + front axle ).
i simply tapped in the zirks, drill sevral holes in the spacer ( carbide drill bit required ) and sevral in the carrier itself plus took out those (nearly) worthless
"dust seals" so grease could pass thru. it takes about a third of a tube of grease to fill the rear end up good and proper.

picture shown is my 85 350x ,,,, stock bearing carrier.

john