Servicing the bottom linkage

[Grumpy]

Has anyone needed to, or done the rear suspention linkage, new bearings, greasing etc.? Although it's not the same amount of strip down to acces it on the S10, but after owning an FJR and the cost of getting that bikes linkage done, I was wondering if it is a problem and do folk's do it at certain service intervals?
The cost of the 6 bearings and 6 seals alone come to £250/$330

 

[~TABASCO~]

Ive done this service probably more than 100 times. Never a need for new bearings but I DO suggest lubing everything up really good. Some bikes are very dry with NO lube at all. Others have a small amount. Its easy and fast to lube it all and then re torque everything. "Normal maintenance"

Also for others that read this. The swing arm pivot bolt needs a lube and good look at, and the steering neck bearings as well. Some have a little lube and others have NONE AT ALL and are completely DRY. In my experience there doesn't seem to be a rhyme or reason on the bikes with lube or no lube. They just need to be checked and lubed. Even the bikes that have a little could use a lot more for sure.

 

[Grumpy]

Do I have to drop the linkage out or can it be done on the bike? Plus all new seals?

 

[Boris]

Might be of use.

 

[steve68steve]

I did mine around 30k miles. There weren't completely dry but they weren't packed and happy, either.

Water had found its way in - there was surface rust on the pivot shaft.

Edit: was thinking of the swingarm shaft and bearings. Suspension is easy. It's just 3 easy-to-get-at bolts. Center stand helps a bunch, and an improvised way to wedge between the bottom of the back tire and the floor.

 

[ballisticexchris]

I figure to do all my chassis lube at suspension refresh time. Kind of strange but Race Tech’s recommendation is to refresh at about 10,000 miles. I should put an hour meter on my ST. I always do suspension rebuild between 25-50 hours.

 

[Grumpy]

Do you replace the seals each time?

 

[ballisticexchris]

Do you replace the seals each time?

Yes, seals, bushings, oil, and all wearable parts.

 

[RCinNC]

How are you guys pulling the bearings out of the swingarm, with that collar in the way? I have a Pit Posse bearing puller that'll supposedly let you drive a bearing out from the opposite side, even with a spacer in the way, but I haven't used it yet. It doesn't look like there's enough room in there, like there is in a wheel hub, to move the spacer aside and drive the bearing out with a punch.

Edit: Or is that a bushing in the diagram, and not a spacer?

 

[PAULIBIKER]

My Kawasaki ZR7S had grease zerks.

Thought about drilling holes and installing some when I have it off. Anybody try that?