Swingarm conversion - &£$%^% bearings!

[Syltiz]

Well im totally buggered from trying to extract the freakin' bearings from the mille linkages... I tried everything, hammering, driving, pleading... those buggers are stuck tight.

So now my question to you lot is: I have a spare un-molested mille dogbone... do I simply use it with the current bearings with a bit of new lube? How long are these bearings safe for? It should be many many miles right? Or do I take it to a professional to extract the old and fit the new bearings?

[Fausto]

Have you tried heat? It was quite a job when I replaced the needle roller bearings in my swingarm and would have been impossible without a heat gun. Had to really get the alloy hot to allow the fitting of the new ones!

As for using the ones already in there.... It depends on their condition. If they look clean and shiny when you degrease them then you should be fine. Repack them with loads of good quality grease and try the pins for size. If they roll smoothly with no free play I am sure that's as good (or even better) than new. Factories are notorious for skimping on the grease when they assemble bikes so until you strip and re grease your linkages yourself they probably don't have enough in.

I'm always saying this but IMHO it is worth doing this every year - prevention being far far better than cure(replacement) in this case.

[Syltiz]

Thanks Fausto... I read your earlier post on the problem you had with your needle bearings. I got the bearings out of the swingarm no problem, its getting the bearings out of the linkages thats the problem. I definately have needles missing from those bearings and I am not confident in their overall condition. I will have to find someone with a hydraulic press to help me out... or take it to a mechanic.

[Samray]

No way of getting a G'cramp or speed cramp on it?

[Syltiz]

tried that too

The closest i got to success was putting a M8 threaded rod through, supported on the one side with washers acting on the bearing, and on the other side with larger washers acting on the housing/linkage... then placed nuts on either end and began turning the nuts towards each other so the pressure would push the bearing in one direction. This worked for a few milimeters until the thread on the rod stripped!

[Kwackerz]

Plastic explosive. Solves everything.

Failing that an impact driver with a war finish (impact type) socket of a suitable outside diameter and thwack it thru...
It needs to be a proper socket for use with an impact driver tho' or else it will all end in tears..or blood..
Ive used that method to great effect before.


Thwack it being a polite technical term by the way..

[Syltiz]

Do you mean the socket acts on the rim of the bearing? How does the sideways torque push the bearing out?

[D-Rider]

To remove the roller bearing from the swinger itself, I ground a cut across the bearing shell with a dremel (well not a real dremel but a cheapo copy).
As long as you are careful it does the job.
See no reason why it shouldn't work for the dogbone bearings.

[Fausto]

I agree with D R in the cut em out method. If they are to be replaced anyway. Just try not to damage the surface of the linkage. Make sure there are no burrs which could impede the entry of the new cages.

Don't forget that there are 2 bearing cages at each end so you'll never press them out from the outside. You need to get in between them and press each cage outwards - v. difficult - don't bother. Cut them!

We had a real job pressing the bearing in but it must be easier on the linkage as opposed to the swinger as you can handle it more easily. Do you have a hefty engineers vice? We used one to press the buggers in but I repeat - the alloy was too hot to touch! Personaly I would prefer pressing to hammering - you have more control. An extra set of hands will help.

Good Luck