Front Wheel Bearings

[randy]

Ouch!.

I consider myself a darn good mechanic, but I know when to stop and take a breath. These front wheel bearings have me stumped. How on earth do I get the spacer to move aside enogh so I can get a drift down there?

Clymers' is no help. they don't even have a photo of the procedure. I've seen the post about the rear bearings, but frankly that is not much help with the front.

Question 1: Which side first - the speedo side or the right side?

Question 2: Does the spacer actually slide out of the way or am I going about this all wrong??

Randy

[Geezer]

Re: Front Wheel Bearings

Originally posted by randy
Ouch!.

I consider myself a darn good mechanic, but I know when to stop and take a breath. These front wheel bearings have me stumped. How on earth do I get the spacer to move aside enogh so I can get a drift down there?

Clymers' is no help. they don't even have a photo of the procedure. I've seen the post about the rear bearings, but frankly that is not much help with the front.

Question 1: Which side first - the speedo side or the right side?

Question 2: Does the spacer actually slide out of the way or am I going about this all wrong??

Randy

It can be a pain to get the spacer out of the way but it only has a locating ring on one end and the other end will deflect a little. The catch is that the spacer can go in either way and you need to figure it out. In despret times I've run a screw throug the bearing and slide hammered it out far enough to get a punch on it.

Once on a wing, I had to cut out the center race on one side with a torch. It went well, but I was sweating bullets the whole time.

Geezer

[randy]

Thanks, geezer. I'll keep at it.

Randy

[Geezer]

BTW, you can get those bearings and one of the seals at a bearing supply house. The seal that goes around the speedo drive is a special item.

When I did mine last year I removed the rotors even thought I didn't have to and all the locking tabs for the rotor broke. I've never thought these were worth a damn anyway so I replaced all the rotor mounting bolts with grade 8 allen head bolts. It looks good but I'm the only one that would notice. ;o)

Tony

[randy]

Thanks. By the way, the allen bolt idea sounds like a nice touch. Did you use lockwashers or locktite?

Randy

[Geezer]

Originally posted by randy
Thanks. By the way, the allen bolt idea sounds like a nice touch. Did you use lockwashers or locktite?

Randy

I used grade 8 lockwashers but no locktite. I've never seen one of those bolts work loose and I properly torqued them.

Geezer

[randy]

OK, guys. This is a long one, and bound to be controversial, but stay with me for a minute....

I got the bearings out and replaced, but I have to relate this to see what all of you think.

My initial question of 'how in the heck you can move the spacer out of the way to knock the bearings out with a drift' as described in the manual(s) was prompted by the method that is described in said manuals.

In the manuals, clymers or haynes, the operation describes the maintenance and re-greasing of the bearings. The procedure tells you to 'pound on the outer race only', which we all know is IMPOSSIBLE because there is no way to move the spacer aside enough to even SEE the outer race of the bearings, much less get a drift on it. Leaving you no choice but to pound on the inner race, guaranteeing that the bearing will need replacement, not re-greasing.

Working through this problem and finally solving it gave me an opportunity to think it through completely and led me to another question, namely:

What good does the spacer and flange do, anyway?

The bearings, when properly installed, are bottomed out in their bores, so never actually have the opportunity to touch the spacer tube. The spacer doesn't support any weight at all, only holds the flange. It seems to me that the spacer just sits on the axle, rolling merrily along, as dead weight, supporting the flange that either:

1. ?keeps dust/dirt off of the inside of the bearing? or

2. ?slings ejected grease away from the bearing? or

3. ?only the laughing yamaha engineers know? or

4. was designed to PREVENT bearing maintenance!

When I realized the insanity of all this, I left the spacer / flange assembly out when I put it back together. I feel confident that it won't make a bit of difference, and wanted to get the group's opinions on what I've done.

I won't be riding for another couple of months, though, so don't worry about me. But if this post saves some poor sap a couple of hours of work tonight, and subsequently the same for the rest of us on future bearing work, then it was worth every minute of the learning experience.

Now, tell me what you think. Don't hold back ( as if you ever do). I'm a big boy, I can take it. But I'm also an experienced (35 yrs) mechanic and for the life of me I can't find a reason for the existence of this part, so I chucked 'em both and now my XS is 1lb lighter!

Cheers,

Randy

[wildbill]

I know about the tube and have wondered the same thing.A couple of years ago I had to replace the wheel bearings in the rear wheel on a Suzuki RM250.The thing had one bearing on the brakeside a tube and then two bearing stacked on the chain side.I replaced all with sealed bearings.Personally I don`t think the tube does anything except maybe keep things lined up but that is a weak reason.I think the tube is there to ease wheel bearing removal by useing it as a drift{well that`s what I used it for}.Somebodys a laughing but its not me.

[randy]

Good thoughts, Bill.

But no, the bearings bear all of the weight of the vehicle, the spacers do nothing. That is just my opinion, though.

Randy

[bkr]

Front Wheel Brng.

Hey Guys I am sure Yamaha did not spend $$$$$$$ putting a part on a bike to have it left off after a grease job. My theory is , The spacer holds the inner race and axel in as a solid piece when the axel nut is tightened. Think what would happen if the balls in the bearing failed . it would be twice as bad without a spacer. Would make for a weak point in the front end also. Only a thought.... bkr

[slicky5150]

I wondered the same thing but left it in thinking it may keep the inner race from being torqued inward thus prematurely wearing the bearing. Just a thought.

Chad

[randy]

BKR,

That is a VERY valid point. On the outside, the axle / spacer combination would keep the inner race from falling out if the bearing exploded, so that MUST be what the inner spacer's job is!

You're right, with the spacer in place, it would afford at least a chance to ride out the failure to a stop. Without the spacer, you wouldn't stand a chance.

Granted, the failure of a bearing in this fashion would be catostrophic, and probably rare. And if things got that loose, you'd be bound to feel it in the handling. However...........

I think I'll go back to my workshop with one less beer in me, and put the spacers back in. At least now, I can see the outer races and get the drift on them!

Thanks for the sanity check. I never get tired of learning, If I ever do my wife has permission to shoot me.

Randy

[bkr]

Front Wheel Brng.

Hey Randy I have been biking a long time ( 55 yrs ) so when someone puts a part in a bike that you can't see it must be there for a reason. Seriously i had a bearing go on a Honda 750 at 70 MPH. On inspection it had no spacer .I think the extra pressure on the bearing from the missing part caused the failure. Think I will go check my front wheel & have 2 beers ( Alpine) Later. bkr

[bkr]

Wheel Brng.

Hey Randy Forgot to mention ,get a fuel injector removal tool for a Mack Truck to remove bearing. Has just the right bend . Got mine from Snap On. bkr

[randy]

Sounds like a plan, have three - one is on me..

But i gotta tell, ya, after spending hours ****ing with that spacer, the last thing on my mind was putting it back in. I was so spent I wasn't even considering side loading and failure modes.

I'm glad I posted and was able to vent and get a sanity check.

Thanks a lot.

Randy