Pete Payne
MX-Tech Suspension Agent
- Nov 3, 2000
- 933
- 38
Here are some useful tips for replacing linkage and swingarm bearings without a shop press.
First pull the parts off of the bike and clean them really good.
If your model has the thrust washers on the outside, like a CR or KX, remove them with a small screwdriver along with the seals.
Clean all remaining grease out of the inside of the linkage or swingarm.
Now whatever you do, do not take a hammer and punch to the bearings. The small lip on the bearing cage will break off and make them even harder to remove.I use a bench vise with copper jaw covers (so the teeth do not eat up the aluminum) as a press and a socket to push the bearings out .Find a socket that is slightly smaller than the outside diameter of the bearing cage (to fit into the linkage) and on the other side use a larger socket that will allow the bearing to be pushed into it. Now getting this all lined up with only two hands can be a little tricky at first,but it can be done.
Tighten the vise down and press the bearings through the linkage and into the larger socket. If they are really stubborn, you can use a propane torch and put a little heat on the linkage to make it expand and the bearings will come out easier.
To install the new bearings use the same smaller socket to push them in(with the vise) and countersink them to the correct depth.
Use a plastic hammer to install the new seals. Grease the bearings with a good high quality extreme pressure grease and reassemble
onto the bike.
For the really tough bearings that refuse to be removed with the vise method. I use my porting tool and grind ---CAREFULLY---- through the bearing race ,without grinding into the linkage. Once you have ground through the race it will fall out.
Good luck!!!
First pull the parts off of the bike and clean them really good.
If your model has the thrust washers on the outside, like a CR or KX, remove them with a small screwdriver along with the seals.
Clean all remaining grease out of the inside of the linkage or swingarm.
Now whatever you do, do not take a hammer and punch to the bearings. The small lip on the bearing cage will break off and make them even harder to remove.I use a bench vise with copper jaw covers (so the teeth do not eat up the aluminum) as a press and a socket to push the bearings out .Find a socket that is slightly smaller than the outside diameter of the bearing cage (to fit into the linkage) and on the other side use a larger socket that will allow the bearing to be pushed into it. Now getting this all lined up with only two hands can be a little tricky at first,but it can be done.
Tighten the vise down and press the bearings through the linkage and into the larger socket. If they are really stubborn, you can use a propane torch and put a little heat on the linkage to make it expand and the bearings will come out easier.
To install the new bearings use the same smaller socket to push them in(with the vise) and countersink them to the correct depth.
Use a plastic hammer to install the new seals. Grease the bearings with a good high quality extreme pressure grease and reassemble
onto the bike.
For the really tough bearings that refuse to be removed with the vise method. I use my porting tool and grind ---CAREFULLY---- through the bearing race ,without grinding into the linkage. Once you have ground through the race it will fall out.
Good luck!!!