tigmaster

Anyway telling if rear linkage bearings are bad is fairly simple. First off set your bike on a stand and remove the rear tire. try to move the swingarm from side to side(opposite way it pivots normally) if u get any play even the smallest then the swingarm bearings are bad and need replaced. I would suggest replacing the seals also. Next unbolt the linkage at one side and try to pivot the opposite side the same way u did the swingarm, then re-bolt that end and reverse for the other end. Just unbolt each item of your rear linkage in a way that you can pivot each end and check for play in the bearings. Don’t forget to check the rear shock because it has bearings on both ends also. Whatever bearings have any play should be replaced along with the seals. Ok now for removing the bearings and seals. If you plan on replacing the seals then just grab the seal with a pair of pliers and rip it out. Make sure not to damage the inner tube. Now for bearings, find a deepwell socket maybe even with an extension that fits on the outer race of the bearing aka it should almost be the same size as the tube the bearing is. Try to get as close to this size as possible. Make sure the socket and extension if needed are at least the length of the tube. Now get yourself a blowtorch and lightly heat the outside of the tube until it just burns to the touch lol I'm sorry that’s how I do it. Anyway I would suggest putting this in a vice but don’t clamp directly on it, but put a rag around it if u don’t have soft vice jaws. Next hammer it out with the socket and it WILL come right out. Or if your vive has a big enough jaw, use it to start pressing the bearing out with your socket. To put the new bearings in, just reverse this process and remember where the bearings sat in the tube.

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