1150GSA Swing Arm Bearings

[mad-dawg]

More advice please

Finally got the rebuilt gearbox back.
The swingarm bearings are original i think

Left one is smooth, right hand one is a little bit notchy so I bought new ones.
Searched the site but can find no mention of anyone replacing these bearings (cue Starship Enterprise boldly going etc)
Books all say use a BMW tool to remove the old ones or a mini puller with slide hammer attachment

Has anyone any tips for getting these bad boys out?
I did think of using small and large sockets and threaded rod etc to fashion a puller but the access to the left bearing is hidden in the depths of the swingarm and there are opportunities for comedy.

Or
Should I man up and just stick it back together safe in the knowledge that no-one has ever replaced these and they never fail?

 

[Welshman]

More advice please

Finally got the rebuilt gearbox back.
The swingarm bearings are original i think

Left one is smooth, right hand one is a little bit notchy so I bought new ones.
Searched the site but can find no mention of anyone replacing these bearings (cue Starship Enterprise boldly going etc)
Books all say use a BMW tool to remove the old ones or a mini puller with slide hammer attachment

Has anyone any tips for getting these bad boys out?
I did think of using small and large sockets and threaded rod etc to fashion a puller but the access to the left bearing is hidden in the depths of the swingarm and there are opportunities for comedy.

Or
Should I man up and just stick it back together safe in the knowledge that no-one has ever replaced these and they never fail?

Little bit of heat and some long bits of rebar came out easy, I think lots of them run around on screwed swingarm bearings judging by the ones I have worked on including mine

 

[monkeyboy]

I used a blind bearing puller on my R1100S but I reckon a 400mm length of 10mm steel bar would have been easier to drift them in the traditional fashion. My GSA's are on the work list as they have started squeeking too.

 

[MattW]

I did mine years ago but from memory, it just involved heat cunningly fashioned DIY pullers (and long drifty things as the Welshman says).

 

[Yeti]

You might want to check this thread out on ADV: LINK

He replaces all of the bearings in the swingarm using home tools.

 

[mad-dawg]

Thanks for the info,

 

[Ravenslair]

You might want to check this thread out on ADV: LINK

He replaces all of the bearings in the swingarm using home tools.

I did essentially the same thing last month. I used the proper size socket to pop the old ones out and seat the new ones. Worked like a charm. One of mine was notchy and was felt when doing the 3 and 9 test. Put new ones in both sides and all movement is gone. Took about an hour. Half that was trying to get the final drive back on (i.e., drive shaft lined up again)!

 

[Welshman]

I did essentially the same thing last month. I used the proper size socket to pop the old ones out and seat the new ones. Worked like a charm. One of mine was notchy and was felt when doing the 3 and 9 test. Put new ones in both sides and all movement is gone. Took about an hour. Half that was trying to get the final drive back on (i.e., drive shaft lined up again)!

Ummm sorry, wrong bearings we are talking swing arm i think

 

[mad-dawg]

Feck!

So new bearings chilling in the freezer.
Nifty puller made out of threaded rod and a couple of sockets and drive shaft side comes out no problem.
LHS middle pops out,

Tried heat and long bits of rebar but the outer race has only a tiny lip so no chance of getting any purchase to tap it out, doesnt help that shape of casting obstructs line of sight/whack.
Looks like its either purchase a tool or take it to a dealer to get them to pull it out using the "special tool".
Nothing in the garage that is the right size to get an interference fit in the remains of the outer race.
Going to cut a square plate washer down and grind to shape and try that first.

 

[MattW]

So new bearings chilling in the freezer.
Nifty puller made out of threaded rod and a couple of sockets and drive shaft side comes out no problem.
LHS middle pops out,

Tried heat and long bits of rebar but the outer race has only a tiny lip so no chance of getting any purchase to tap it out, doesnt help that shape of casting obstructs line of sight/whack.
Looks like its either purchase a tool or take it to a dealer to get them to pull it out using the "special tool".
Nothing in the garage that is the right size to get an interference fit in the remains of the outer race.
Going to cut a square plate washer down and grind to shape and try that first.

If you can beg or borrow a blind bearing puller, you can either use it with a slide hammer or lock it in the bearing and drift against the puller.

 

[mad-dawg]

If you can beg or borrow a blind bearing puller, you can either use it with a slide hammer or lock it in the bearing and drift against the puller.

Thanks Matt
Reluctant to spend 60 odd quid on a tool for one poxy bearing but might have to bite the bullet.
Al my mates come to me when they need that "special tool" so no chance any of them have anything remotely of use.
Its sods law, the other bearing would have been easy to tap out through the drive shaft hole.

 

[iftikartaxis]

Home tools

I did it using home tools a heat gun

 

[mad-dawg]

I did it using home tools a heat gun

Thats great, really pleased for you.

Did your bearing separate? how did you overcome the problem?

 

[Packer]

I used along bit of bar shaped enough to clear the curve of the casting and a heat gun to heat up the alloy. It wasn't difficult.

 

[Steptoe]

Thanks Matt
Reluctant to spend 60 odd quid on a tool for one poxy bearing but might have to bite the bullet.
Al my mates come to me when they need that "special tool" so no chance any of them have anything remotely of use.
Its sods law, the other bearing would have been easy to tap out through the drive shaft hole.

Fire up a mig welder and run a bead of weld around the bearing. It'll just fall out.

 

[mad-dawg]

Panic Over

Thanks for the suggestions, got it out using a cut and shaped plate washer and a home made puller.

 

[MattW]

Thanks for the suggestions, got it out using a cut and shaped plate washer and a home made puller.

Excellent