250sxman
12-29-2012, 12:34 AM
Finally got around to getting the swingarm bearings done on my SX today,,,, having never done this before I did a lot of research and had my manual handy.
Off the jump I was in trouble when I couldn't get the locknut off.... I used a hammer and punch to no avail, kept it wet with some knock 'er loose (industrial strength PB type stuff) and still no go. Then came the torch... threw some heat at it for a good 5 or 6 minutes then another whack with the 3 lb sledge and WHAM! It came loose.... only to see that both the locknut AND the pivot bolt were turning as one!
Moved on to removing the lower shock bolt.... it has been soaking in penetrating fluid for a few days and wouldn't you guess the damned bolt head was rounded off....:( So.. I had to remove the airbox to allow enough forward movement with the shock to remove the swinger.
Now on to the races..... A little back story on this SX.....It's been sitting and hasn't moved in over 5 years..... The right side race came out surprisingly easy... once I removed the pivot bolt it was already loose, just a few good taps and it was out. The left side.... now that was a PITA! Rusted to the swinger, I had to keep soaking it with penetrant (is that even a word?! LOL) and used a small cutting wheel on my dremel to cut it into 3 little pieces, and a lot of whacking with a hammer and punch finally broke the race into about 100 small pieces...
Got it all cleaned up inside, tapped my new grease fittings and installed them (to whoever thought of that...Effin awesome idea), greased the new bearings and got it all back together. Started picking up all my tools of the garage floor and noticed a rubber boot laying under the trike....I FORGOT TO PUT THE DAMN DRIVESHAFT BOOT BACK ON!!!!!!!!! So I'm sure all of you know what had to happen next....
Anywho, got it all back together again, and now the rearend is tight and feels good. I know there's no real point to this story, just wanted share my frustrations and joys! Not a bad job, but I hope not to do one again for a while!
Off the jump I was in trouble when I couldn't get the locknut off.... I used a hammer and punch to no avail, kept it wet with some knock 'er loose (industrial strength PB type stuff) and still no go. Then came the torch... threw some heat at it for a good 5 or 6 minutes then another whack with the 3 lb sledge and WHAM! It came loose.... only to see that both the locknut AND the pivot bolt were turning as one!
Moved on to removing the lower shock bolt.... it has been soaking in penetrating fluid for a few days and wouldn't you guess the damned bolt head was rounded off....:( So.. I had to remove the airbox to allow enough forward movement with the shock to remove the swinger.
Now on to the races..... A little back story on this SX.....It's been sitting and hasn't moved in over 5 years..... The right side race came out surprisingly easy... once I removed the pivot bolt it was already loose, just a few good taps and it was out. The left side.... now that was a PITA! Rusted to the swinger, I had to keep soaking it with penetrant (is that even a word?! LOL) and used a small cutting wheel on my dremel to cut it into 3 little pieces, and a lot of whacking with a hammer and punch finally broke the race into about 100 small pieces...
Got it all cleaned up inside, tapped my new grease fittings and installed them (to whoever thought of that...Effin awesome idea), greased the new bearings and got it all back together. Started picking up all my tools of the garage floor and noticed a rubber boot laying under the trike....I FORGOT TO PUT THE DAMN DRIVESHAFT BOOT BACK ON!!!!!!!!! So I'm sure all of you know what had to happen next....
Anywho, got it all back together again, and now the rearend is tight and feels good. I know there's no real point to this story, just wanted share my frustrations and joys! Not a bad job, but I hope not to do one again for a while!