250SX Swingarm Bearings

[Frankencelery]

I just bought a 250SX on Ebay. The the guy said the only thing it really needed was swingarm bearings. I see I can get them on Bikebandit, but they're about $100 a set. Are there any other sources out there? I was suprised to find nothing on Ebay.

I don't have posession of the trike yet, but I'm pretty excited about it. I haven't paid the full amount, and I'm reserving the right to pay less than the full amount if it isn't as advertised. It wasn't until I talked to him that he said that he wouldn't recommend riding it with the swingarm bearings the way they are, which has me worried. If they're THAT bad, what other damage could there be? Do any of you SX owners have any other pitfalls I should look for before I fork out the rest of the cash?

[Howdy]

Well perhaps I can help as the other source. I checked part numbers and sx is the same as es (85 + 86 modles).
You will hafta pm me about this 86es swing arm I have since it is a sale type thing and that is not what trikeslyveina is for.
I have never removed any sx or es bearings but am sure you could do 1 side at a time w/o taking the whole rear end apart. Defintly gonna ne a heck of a big allen wrench too.

john


John, The es and sx swing arms are different. I'm 99% sure the bearings are the same. But I do know not much else is. I just wanted to be sure you know that. ;)

As far as a big allen wrench goes: I took a big bolt and machined the end to fit the allen bolt. It works Super!! 3leggeddog can back me up here. I say that because he was here at the shop today and I showed him how to replace his swing arm bearing in his SX. It's been a fun and busy day. More on that later. ;)
Howdy

[Tri-ZNate]

I have never removed any sx or es bearings but am sure you could do 1 side at a time w/o taking the whole rear end apart.



Didnt work that way for me. We had to take the rear shock off and completely remove the rear.

[Howdy]

Didnt work that way for me. We had to take the rear shock off and completely remove the rear.

Yup that is the easiest way. Been there pulled that. lol
Howdy

[Howdy]

As far as a big allen wrench goes: I took a big bolt and machined the end to fit the allen bolt. It works Super!!
Howdy

I think I am gonna tinker with making me one of those tools Howdy + pull these berings in case Frank needs them.

Frank ,,, when you getting the sx ???


john[/QUOTE]

After I posted my reply last night I found a short piece of hex stock and I think it's the right size. If you want I will send you a piece and all you need to do is put it in a socket and wa-la. ;)
Howdy

[Howdy]

Great idea Howdy ! I am gonna be out looking for a parts washer pump at tractor supply today Howdy so let me so what I can find locally.

Always a thinking ain't ya :)

john

We have a TSC here as well. Is that the one your going to be visiting? lmao j/k. ;) I will have something in the mail tomorrow or Tuesday. ;)
Howdy

[3leggeddog]

if you can't find stock at the store that big bolt ground down to fit worked awesome,and of course is a cheap/easy way to git-er-done!!!!!

o,and john.that manual you printed off for me came in helpful yesterday,thanks a ton buddy,i owe you!!!

[bigredhead]

As far as bearings go.. if there is any play at all.. you want to replace them.

Nevr re-use old bearings...

The worst part is removing the outer races from the frame.. that part takes some ingenuity.. i ended up buying a blind bearing puller. kinda like a slide hammer with an expander at the end, very useful.

If the swingarm bearings are shot.. good changes the rear axle bearings need replaced as well while you have the whole thing apart.

Pray to god that you don't have to replace the diff bearings as well... $$$$$

[Frankencelery]

Is there any was I can tell by looking if the differential bearings are bad? I'm going to be picking it up today, and I'd like to know what to look for.

[Frankencelery]

Oh, and where did you get this blind bearing puller? I'd like to check that out.

[Howdy]

Is there any was I can tell by looking if the differential bearings are bad? I'm going to be picking it up today, and I'd like to know what to look for.

Get a hold of the grab bar and try tolean the trike from side to side while watching the swingarm bearings. I did this yesterday and showed Brandon his was bad. We didn't replace them though, but I have a feeling he will have me do the work. ;)
Howdy

[Frankencelery]

Well, I got it! It's in pretty good shape. The plastics are all stitched together, but the rest of the machine is pretty solid. It starts right up, no smoke, lights work, all gears work fine. The swingarm bearings are toast, as reported, so I won't be riding it until that's fixed. All in all, I think it's a pretty good deal!

[bigredhead]

Congrats !!!

SX's are awsome machines.. keep up with the regular oil changes and bearings and they are very dependable...

Maier plastics can be had on e-bay at any time.. and parts are quite well available if you keep checking around..

If you are used to the hardtails, the SX will feel a bit tippyer at first.. but once you get the hang of it.. it out-performs hardtails in all fields.. and your non-suspended trikes may start gathering dust ! lol..

[Frankencelery]

I ride my buddy's 200x all the time, so I'm used to the full suspension. I'm sure the SX will soon be my favorite! I still have to finish my 200s, but the parts are on the way to put it back together, so that one will be done before I get the SX going.

I am still looking for a vendor that has swingarm bearings for less than $100 a set. Any ideas on that? The SX is really not rideable until I get these done.

[200xman]

If you can't ride it like it is pull the old bearings out and go to the local auto parts/ bearing house and see if they have anything. They are only a tapered roller bearing and as long as you have the bearing # someone should be able to find cheaper replacements. I think the seals are an OEM item only though.