Changing Swing-arm Bearings

[MudBug]

A guy recently moved up the road from me, he has a 250 big red like mine and Ive been working on it for him. Before we sink any more money into this bike we need to get the swingarm bearings changed. There is so much play in his that sometimes when he drives we hear the driveshaft rubbing on the surrounding metal. Do you guys have any tricks to get the old ones out? I also noticed that on one side of the frame the swing-arm bolt has a slotted nut/washer thing around it. Do I need any special tools? Any help would be appreciated.

[birddogg]

Heat and a BFH. Sounds like if they're that bad they're probably seized solid. Never done a Big Red before but start soaking it with PB blaster now before you even order the parts.

[atc350xer]

some guys on here have made their own spanner wrenches... or you can buy them

[maxima]

once you get to swing arm loose from the frame,remove the seal,then the bearing. the race is somewhat pressed in. the absolute easiest way is to take a mig welder and run a bead all the way around the inside of the race.the heat will shink it and it will spin right out. keeps from having to use a torch and burn everything all to hell. try i and you wont regret it.just dont weld the race to the frame.

[MudBug]

Do I need to remove the bearing race? is it necessary? I figured just the bearings and the dust seal would be enough

[Dirtcrasher]

Smash the tin cap thru behind the race, then install the new outer race for the bearing. Fill the cavity with a wood dowel and tap the 2 holes in that center tube are stock for a grease fitting..........

[MudBug]

im wondering more about how to get it out. We really need these changed so he can get riding again, hes laid off and he loves riding with us.

I noticed on the right side of the swing arm, the bolt has that ring around it. Does that need to come out first before the bolt itself? Why isn't there one on the other side? Im thinking were going to have to cut these out :/

[Dirtcrasher]

STOP SCREWING AROUND THEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! DOWNLOAD or make him get a manual!! There are free ones everywhere on this site.............

If you read the manual you'd know thats a "lock ring nut" then the pivot bolt comes out.

So, loosen the ring with a 1/4 inch blunt faced punch (because you don't have or seem to want to make the new tool) - Lefty loosey........ Then use a 17 or 19MM bolt (I forget) with a nut welded on it (or whatever you come up with) and loosen the pivot bolt.

Then smash out those tin caps, the backside will be available at that point to pound those races out with a long drift and a 2lb . Press in new ones with a long piece of 1/2" ALL THREAD rod and PULL it into place. Use a series of nuts,fat washers and the old race. Grind down the OD of the old races to use to get in the new ones without binding.

There is also a preload or torque for that pivot bolt and it has to be set. Use new seals and a new driveshaft cover boot and your good.

[MudBug]

thanks for that. I'm going to take another look at the manual tonight. Once we have the swing arm off it wont be so bad doing the rest, but those bolts are as if they are welded in. We'll take one more crack at it tomorrow and ill let you guys know how it goes.

[MudBug]

Had a great day with this guy's trikes today. My other friend dropped a wheelie on his too hard and snapped the thing in two, so he gave the guy his broken trike for 2 pellet guns that he had gotten for free in the first place! Lots of usable parts on this. We took the bolts / bearings out of the black one and then we gave his a shot. We had better luck today, and they slid right out. The bearing was completely deteriorated. So now we have the bearings / races out of both bikes, now its just to order them from somewhere. We also scored another frame with a full motor for cheap, but the frame is junk. Heres some pics of todays progress :

[Dirtcrasher]

If he did that off of a jump, he'd be in some type of pain right now!! Glad it was just a wheelie.

Anyhow, good deal, more parts to play with.....

Those Timkin tapered swinger bearings are available at ANY bearing shop, usually cheaper! But the ALL BALLS kits are sweet too and inexpensive..........

[MudBug]

do you have a link to an All balls kit?