250sx swinger bearing removal ???

[aldochina]

So i obviously dont have the bearing puller to remove the race from the frame. Since the grease retaining plate is in the way, you cant beat it out from the opposing side. MY ? is, can i just drill a hole in the plate so i can get at the backside of the race. I would imagine the frame tube is hollow.. any help please.

[Name Brand]

You're right; that frame tube is hollow. There is a grease retaining plate behind each bearing. They are not very thick. If you drill a hole in them you will expose the bearing to contamination. I would also wonder about the plate coming apart and pieces of it ending up in the swingarm bearings.

On the bottom edge of that tube are two drain holes. Drain holes that also allow water and contaminates to enter that tube. Both grease retaining plates on my SX were corroded to the point I could just push a screwdriver through them. (it was not my original intention to do so; I was cleaning old grease out and noticed they were flexy) I removed them completely which allowed me to use a long drift to drive out the swingarm bearings. There was a large amount of corrosion in the tube. After cleaning it out, I reassembled it a little differently. I welded the two drain holes shut to close off that tube. I cut a piece of PVC pipe to fit inside the tube between the bearings. I capped the ends of the PVC pipe with some flat pieces of PVC that I made by warming and flattening a larger diameter piece of PVC pipe. The PVC pipe is only in there to take up space; I didn't want to use nearly a whole tube of grease to fill the space in the tube. I inserted one swingarm bearing, added a few inches of marine grade grease and pushed the PVC pipe in. With enough grease the PVC pipe will get fully covered as it displaces the grease. I filled the remaining space with more grease and finally the other swingarm bearing. Assembly continued normally after that.

By closing the space and filling it with grease I don't have to worry about water contamination and corrosion. The only thing I plan on doing different with my other SX is to add a zerk fitting in the top of the tube (where it won't get ripped off). Being able to push any dirty or contaminated grease from out the bearing side would be nice.

Now that I'm thinking about this... I should close the tube in the middle and add two zerk fittings; one for each side. If one bearing is less restricted than the other, the more restricted bearing won't be able to get all the new grease it needs if fed off a single zerk fitting. Path of least resistance; y'know.

[aldochina]

thats a good idea man. I know they are there to retain grease, but the new bearings came with new plates, so i dont care about ruining them!! It is a strange design from honda. The drive shaft side, the bearing was completely gone, so it is a little rougher looking than the right side, but should have no problem getting the new bearing and seal in. I may look into a little modification, like you have done. It sure would be nice to just be able to pump new grease in there!! Thanks for the reply Name Brand.

[3wheelmecca]

I would even tap the hole for a zerk if possible.

[honda250sx]

Aldo. Let's talk. Just ruin the plates. Its not a big deal. They come in the allballs kit as replacements anyhow. OR...You can install zerks. I did this on Jim's SX rebuild I am working on now. I didnt even install the plates. We will just fill the tube with grease. PM me if you need help. These are easy to do.

Harbor Freight has a nice bearing / seal installer. They are tapered on one side to fit the race and they install easily.

[aldochina]

ya, i been eyeballing harbors kit there for awhile. should just buy it and be done. I have the all balls kit, and it does have new plates. Maybe i will do something different, like you guys. Thanks for the tips guys!! Check out the tool i made for this job in my other thread.

[aldochina]

got em out. the right side came right out, the left was a bit stuborn. My drift just kept slipping off. I ended up using a piece of 1" pvc about a foot long. fits in just about snug, hit it with the mini sludge a few times and it came out. Pretty clean inside the tube really.