honda big red250 rear swingarm bearing bolt.. what size socket to remove bolt

[lugnuttz]

i have an 85 big red 250 the swingarm bearings need to be replaced but i cant seem to find a male hex/allen socket that fits right and i dont want to use one that is too small and wreck the bolt because i dont want the bolt to be stuck in there

does anyone know what the correct size socket is or is there a special tool for this ??

[ewalker302]

To remove this on my sx, I took a large socket, and cut it with a dremel....& cutting wheel to fit the nut. I'm sure theres a special tool, but my way worked when I changed the swinger bearings on my sx.

It's been years, but I know right where that socket is and can post a pic if it would help.

[lugnuttz]

this is a bolt with a recess in it that a large allen wrench or something of the sort would go into it doesnt have a head like a standard bolt ..

but in any case if you could post a pic of youre creation please do if it doesnt help me it may help someone else

[TheRealFatShady]

Go to Autozone, they sell kits for like $10. Come with most sizes, I think it's a 14mm but may be as large as a 17mm. Don't remember.

[scruffy390]

It is 17mm

[HondaClaw]

It is 17mm

I'm 99% positive that it is 17mm, I need bolts and bearings for my Big Red.

[atc500x]

confirm,it's 17mm

[Headsup]

yes its a 17mm i just got threw with this..

I took a wrench i forget the size, 3/4 maybe idk, i cut the end off it, and used that.
Stuck it in the hex bolt end and used a screw driver in the round end of the wrench to help unscrew it

[tri again]

this is a bolt with a recess in it that a large allen wrench or something of the sort would go into it doesnt have a head like a standard bolt ..

but in any case if you could post a pic of youre creation please do if it doesnt help me it may help someone else



I got a bolt from the hardware store with a 17mm head
and a couple nuts to lock to each other and used THAT as an
allen wrench, if I'm understanding you corrrectly.

[lugnuttz]

thanks for all the replies i finally got a free minute and made the 45 minute trip to my uncles house to try and get the big red apart...only after ofcourse spending 40.00 at sears for a set of 4 large allen sockets just so i would have the 17mm because they dont sell any allen sockets that large individualy and YES just as soon as i am done the 17mm is being wiped off and returned to its original packaging to be returned to sears

i did however hit a snag the right side bolt came out like nothing ..new bearing is in and bolt reinstalled ...THE BAD ... the left side bolt closest to the where the driveshaft passes through the tube loosened up but stops about 1/4 inch from the bolt head being flush with the frame it will spin all day long but will not come any farther out and for some reason it will not tighten up either

i had to pack up my tools and leave it sitting because i called away to help a family member with car trouble
but now that i am no longerr frustrated i have considered 2 options for the next time that i work on it

1.) unbolt the right side again let the wingarm drop below the frame and give it one heck of a whack to the right to try and pull the swingarm away from the end of the stuck left side bolt...
2.) run a self tapping screw into the center of the stuck left side bolt just to give me something to grab with vise grips or maybe a ball joint fork to try and pull the bolt out by the head

any comments are appreciated or any other suggestions are welcome

[atc007]

Option # 1,should work : )

[lugnuttz]

as an update i got it apart but in doing it i ruined threads on the bolt and possibly in the frame any idea where i can something to straighten out the threads in the frame...

[Headsup]

when i took my swingarm bolt out, I orderd a new Bolt, Cut the end of the Bolt off, and then used a hax saw and made 2 cuts One one top teh bolt threw it, and on bottom, Then mmered on it a little, Loosened everything up, Used my cut off 3/4 wrench i think it was, and used the cut off end into the Hex End bolt, And used a bar to turn it. Worked great,
Maybe re tap but you will not find a swingarm bolt that fits.

Buy a New bolt off ebay, And try to see if u cant get it in anyway?