swing arm bearings

[donny1972]

I have a bit of play on my 05 gs swing arm and think it needs new bearings. I can buy the tool and the bearing kit for just over 30 quid but how hard a job is it. I imagine the swing arm would need to be completely removed. Any help out there?

 

[G5RJO]

1. Rear wheel off
2. Exhaust end can off
3. Remove final drive and brake caliper
4. Remove rear shock
5. Undo and remove left side bearing pivot (put a jack under swinging arm to support it in position)
6. Undo the 3 outer bolts on the right pivot
7. Pull the right pivot --- either with a slide hammer screwed into the centre OR insert a rod through the left pivot and drift it out, it will probably be rusted in. Remove swing arm.
8. Push out bearings by inserting a socket extension through a bearing and use an appropriate socket to sit on the bearing inner face and drive it out. You can attach the socket in the driveshaft hole. Obvious when you see it.
9. Leave new bearings in the freezer for 24 hours before any of the above.
10. Clean up the bearing location. Give it a warm with a hot air gun and the new bearings from the freezer will tap in very easily.
11. ensure driveshaft is attached to gearbox properly. You can grease the splines whilst you're in there and check the UJ's for notchy or loose cups.
12. refit swinging arm over driveshaft and re-assemble everything.

Probably 2 - 3 hrs all in. Maybe a day if it's all corroded.

Not that hard though...

Roger.

 

[Pukmeister]

The rubber gaiter between the gearbox and swing arm is a pain in the arse to fit properly. I've worn through one badly fitted gaiter and had another brand new one that kept popping out of its retaining recess in the swing arm. I ended up bonding it into place with a bead of black Stixall sealant/adhesive from Toolstation (similar to tiger bond).

 

[bikemad]

The gaiter has a retaining plastic clip inside that must be aligned,best way is taking arm off to do it & grease the lip inside arm helps stop water ingress,you need a torque wrench & locktight too upon reassembly.

Search on this forum all the info is here bendy toy did a good pictorial on his

 

[Bendy toy]

I have an older style bearing kit bought in error for my 08. You can have it for £20.
To get the old races out use a suitable size socket with extension rod and hammer them out from opposite side. Heating the swing arm to 100C helps but it's big for most ovens.
You could also drift them out taking care to keep the race square as it comes out.

 

[Rusty Bolts]

Here's what I did
http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php/378866-Swinging-arm-bearings

 

[Bendy toy]

The older bikes might use the separate seal type bearings. But my 08 needed the integral seal type. I have the other type bought in error & forgot to send back.
The bearings need to fit right down to the shoulder. If they sit with a gap the race will eventually move inwards and loosen the bearing preload. I made some alloy shims to get my bearings flush with the swing arm end faces.
I found no need for a slide hammer to extract the RHS spigot. An old M6 bolt into the centre and a forked end crowbar were perfect. Use a piece of plywood to protect the frame paint.