swingarm/shock pivot removal

[kman.45]

I'm sure there are a couple more members that have removed some of these parts. But word to the wise if you remove your rear shock pivot from the swingarm...you will find a LOT of parts. There are FIVE joints connecting the rear shock to the swingarm and bike, only two of the four on the bottom have grease fittings. So after 8 years and 40K Km, my suspension was squeeking a little so it was time for some disassembly, cleaning, and greasing.

The axle holding the shock pivot to the swingarm is actually quite complicated. On the outside on each side is a nut, metal washer and rubber seal/washer. Where the axle goes through the swingarm bosses there are two sets of what I will call front and back ferrules (cuz that's kind of what they are, but have a bearing surface they mate with) and two spacers. Between the bosses and where the pivot goes there are also large rubber seals that fit over the axle and all those bushings/ferrules. Inside the shock pivot are TWO sets of loose 31 needle bearings. As you can see in the attached pics, it isn't just a simple sleeve/axle as it is in the other joints. BTW, the pivot that the dog bone shaped links bolts to also has a bearing sleeve inside with more loose needle bearings, so don't take out the sleeve! This area has a zerk fitting, so not much need to take apart and clean/grease since you should have been greasing it all these years, right?

so here are a few pictures, one of all the parts, one with the "ferrules" and spacers put on one side of the axle so you can see how they go. I got all the parts cleaned and have the needle bearings back in the pivot tonight. Will try an idea I have to get it all back together tomorrow, to limit the chances of poking the bearings out of the race again..

[kman.45]

your needle bearings should look like this now..

[kman.45]

Glad to report that once you put all the spacers and ferrules back on and re-fit everything with no weight on the joint, it pretty much slips right through the bearings. I was actually quite shocked at how much smoother and quieter the rear suspension is now. It squeeked now and again, but not like it was making horrible noises.

[m4panther]

I just had my shock rebuilt and was thinking about doing what you did..... I was like hellll no after seeing how involved it was

[Srinath]

Why did you split the needle bearing ? I have opened up plenty of SA's on jap bikes, only 1 time did I lose the needle bearing.

The pack rat that I am, I put the "needles" I got out of the GS500 SA bearing in a box and some oil and socked em away.

Almost a year later, I got a seca 2 with carb issues, and some genius had tried to get the floats off with a pliers on the pivot. Chewed it up bad, so bad it wont come out without ruining the pivot in the carb. I had to cut it and get it out on them.

The needles that I got out of the gs500 SA were an exact fit for the float pivots on the seca.
Cool.
Srinath.

[kman.45]

Why did you split the needle bearing ? I have opened up plenty of SA's on jap bikes, only 1 time did I lose the needle bearing.

The pack rat that I am, I put the "needles" I got out of the GS500 SA bearing in a box and some oil and socked em away.

Almost a year later, I got a seca 2 with carb issues, and some genius had tried to get the floats off with a pliers on the pivot. Chewed it up bad, so bad it wont come out without ruining the pivot in the carb. I had to cut it and get it out on them.

The needles that I got out of the gs500 SA were an exact fit for the float pivots on the seca.
Cool.
Srinath.

Sorry, not exactly sure what you mean by "split the needle bearing". I needed to take the whole assembly apart to clean and grease, the bearings are loose, not captured if that is what you are asking.