Swing Arm Bearing symptoms...

[PAVALKER]

I've read about and experienced wheel bearing  failure symptoms, steering stem bearing issues but not so much on swing arm bearing failure symptoms.  Anyone experience swing arm bearing failure issues or symptoms?  I'm thinking they could all be relative to some degree, and provide similar symptoms??   

[bentwrench]

I bought the tool and pulled mine out at 50k just to insp.and lube them.
They didn't need any grease and looked new.before pulling them apart i indexed the adjustment just to see how much it would change.After doing the preload adj. the index marks lined up,no wear.very well designed.
I may check them again at 150k.


P.S. I did fill them with Belray wp grease

[Pappy!]

Ask Grumpy......he can tell you all about the symptoms.......down to the last detail.

[PAVALKER]

Sent him a PM to post to this thread with details.......

[Grumpy]

Yep, swing arm bearing failure sucks. I had a right side fail, at about 75 to 80 mph, the ass end of the bike went hard right then snapped left. After that the bike and I parted company. 4 months later I am still nursing my wounds. Crushed my hands, broken wrist in 3 places, total 12 bones broken. Now sporting a bunch of titanium pins in the bones. Interstate was a total , cracked frame among other things.
  Bottom line the cage inside the bearing broke allowing the bearings to move to one side, found some rollers inside the swing arm.  The conclusion I came up with, couple years ago, I was broad sided in Saginaw MI by a pickup that ran a red light, very hard side impact on the left saddle bag and hitch. He went over the trailer I was pulling. Bike was repaired, but never thought to check the swing arm, bike rode fine and tracked straight. I guess it just took time for the bearing to finally break apart.  Believe me, if I ever get hit again, every possible thing will be taken apart and checked

[PAVALKER]

Ahhhh ok.... A flat out failure but no other symptoms or early warnings indicative by handling issues.  Sorry to hear about that.

 Wonder where that (swing arm bearings) falls under periodic checks and maintenance.  Will have to look at that.

[98valk]

pg 3-19 tech manual

REAR
Support the motorcycle securely and raise the rear wheel off
the ground.
Check for worn swing-arm bearings by grabbing the rear
wheel and attempting to move the wheel side to side.
Replace the bearings if any looseness is noted (section 14)

pg 14-1  important note
When using the lock nut wrench, use a deflecting beam type torque wrench 20 inches long. The lock nut wrench
increases the torque wrench's leverage, so the torque wrench reading will be less than the torque actually applied to
the lock nut. The specification given below is the actual torque applied to the lock nut, not the reading on the torque
wrench when used with the lock nut wrench. The procedure later in the text gives both actual and indicated

pg 14-2 Trouble shooting

Hard suspension;
Damaged shock absorber mount bushing
* Bent damper rod
Damaged swing arm pivot bearings
Bent swing arm pivot
Incorrect suspension adjustment
Tire pressure too high

Steers to one side or does not track straight;
Bent swing arm
Rear wheel wobbling
Bent rim
Worn rear wheel bearings
Faulty tire
Unbalanced tire and wheel
Tire pressure too low
Faulty swing arm pivot bearings

[Jess from VA]

symptom:      Steers to one side or does not track straight.

(one) cause:   Faulty swingarm pivot bearings

Confirms a traumatic failure can turn the bike (from the back end). 

[PAVALKER]

I have no doubt the bike can be steered from the rear, as much as it might not be the preferred method.  A number of things can cause that as well, not just swing arm bearings it seems.

I guess what I might also be wondering is how many have had to adjust or replace worn swing arm bearings, what specific symptoms were given and at what mileage?  These bikes are not as young as they once were and everything might be related to mileage in some manner. 

[98valk]

do a search, swing arm tool, a few threads pop up such as this one

http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,14152.0.html

[Attic Rat]

I have serviced several sets of swing arm bearings but I have never found any problems. They have very little movement and show little to no wear on any of the ones that I have done. It is just a piece of mind thing for me.

[bentwrench]

Grumpy's failure makes sense,I can't imagine them failing on their own.I've seen cars with smaller wheel bearings than honda stuffed in that swing arm.Still no match for a side impact,thats rough.I would imagine the swingarm would be bent by the time the bearings took any dammage.

[jimmytee]

I just did the check out per the CLymer manual a couple months ago. No issues. Basically, it instructs you to remove the wheel and shocks and then try to move the swing arm in an arcing motion from side to side. There should be no play. I had none. I bought a swingarm socket off Ebay just in case, but all was well.

[PAVALKER]

I just did the check out per the CLymer manual a couple months ago. No issues. Basically, it instructs you to remove the wheel and shocks and then try to move the swing arm in an arcing motion from side to side. There should be no play. I had none. I bought a swingarm socket off Ebay just in case, but all was well.

Curious about your mileage and how long have you had it...or if maybe someone else could have replaced it prior to you?

[jimmytee]

I just did the check out per the CLymer manual a couple months ago. No issues. Basically, it instructs you to remove the wheel and shocks and then try to move the swing arm in an arcing motion from side to side. There should be no play. I had none. I bought a swingarm socket off Ebay just in case, but all was well.

Curious about your mileage and how long have you had it...or if maybe someone else could have replaced it prior to you?

I don't know, I bought this bike with 62 k on it and now have 76k. I doubt they have ever been replaced. I really have a hard time imagining that ,with the exception of an impact, anyone having problems with the swingarm bearings under a 100 k miles or even higher. I was tracing out possible issues with a weird handling issue at speeds above 85 mph. I believe I've cured that. I replaced my steering head bearings and shocks, plus rebuilt my forks.