200X Front Axle

[drsung]

In anticipation of my new Dunlop tire for my '87 200X coming in, I thought I would go ahead and remove the existing front tire today.

I loosened the wheel bolts, axle holder and axle, now what? The axle threads are completely free on the left hand side but the axle won't budge otherwise.

The service manual doesn't say much except remove axle.

Is it time to get the BIG hammer? Just wanted to check before I make an expensive mistake!

Thanks,
DrSung

[Yamahondaman]

OH BOY ... look's like i need to make some stainless ones for the X !!
I Just sent Deepa his Front Stainless Axel for his 85-85 ATC... :naughty:

[drsung]

OKay, so DUH. I got the front wheel off. Remove the axle holder on the left completely and everything slides right apart.

BUT, now that I have the front hub off, I realize there is some runout in the bearings and they probably should be replaced. So, back to my original question, how do I get the axle out of the hub?

I have tapped on it gently with a hammer and it's not budging. Do I need a bigger hammer? Is there anything that holds the axle in the hub?

Finally, where should I purchase new front bearings?

[ironchop]

a common issue with these older machines is the first thing that rusts together in the front hub is the axle and the spacer that goes inside the hub etween the bearings

use a heavy plastic mallet or deadblow and smack the hell out of it

if you don`t have a deadblow hammer....use a block of wood and a mini sledge....put the wood between the hammer and the axle...do not hit the axle directly with anything metal as damage to the threads on one side or damage to the thin hex head on the other side....EDIT to say yer gonna want to drive it out by hitting it on the THREAD side of the axle...NOT the hex side

look for "Dad`s" ad in classifieds I think....they sell All Balls kits....All Balls makes good bearings and seals for yer X.....just remember to clean up the spacer tube really good and don`t forget to put it in while installing the bearings....or you`ll be spouting choice words in front of the kids like I did when I forgot it one time

[ironchop]

ALSO.....grease the sleeve spacer really good after you clean off any rust before installation...inside the soacer and outside...not alot of grease just a thin coating completely covering the spacer....that way the axle will not rust to the spacer again

[drsung]

Bingo! It just took a little gentle persuasion with a bigger hammer.

NOW, how do I get the bearings out without the handy dandy bearing removal tool the service manual talks about?

[ironchop]

OK....I used an aluminum bar I turned down on the lathe to use as a driver...I have also used a steel rod I got from hardware store, slid the bar thru one bearing till it catches the INSIDE of the other bearing....be VERY careful not to gouge the bearing seat of the alum hub when driving them out...If you cant drive them out without gouging, use a wooden dowel rod

Warning on re-install.....I would suggest having a shop press the new ones in if you are not equipped...I have a hydraulic press and an arbor press for these things

whatever you do remember two things:

1) do NOT use wood to drive the new ones in...the wood deforms too much and then ends up crushing the bearing sealing disc ruining the seal...I`ve seen this happen more than a few times by folks

2) do NOT drive them in by hitting the inner race....all force needs to be on outter race or you can ding the races with the balls ruining them before you get the hub re-installed

[ironchop]

basically to remove them....you can use anything....they are getting replaced anyway so damage to the bearing is a non issue...ust be careful not to gouge the bearing seat in the hub

[ironchop]

one more thing I forgot to add....the spacer will be in the way...push it to the outside of the inner diameter of the hub and whatever you use to drive them out try hard NOT to hammer the spacer sleeve against the bearing or the spacer will be damaged...they are machined to be a specific length to properly space apart the bearings and subsequently the wheel spacers and the fork legs.

be easy on the inner spacer

[ironchop]

after installin the bearings make sure the inner spacer is snug between the inner bearing races

if it is too loose, then you get way too much pressure against the outside of the inner bearing race from the wheel spacers and premature wear will occur

sorry for lots of posts but I`m trying to type this while making sense...so I have to re-read them so that I don`t leave anything out

[deathman53]

it makes it easier to install the bearings if you put the new bearings in the freezer for several hours.

[drsung]

Thanks guys. I got em out and sent a PM to dads for some new ones. It's off to the front suspension now since I have a leak I might as well overall it as well since I have it apart! I don't have any snap ring pliers so I am at a standstill. :cry:

What all needs to be replaced in a front shock rebuild?