Rear wheel service question - wheel already off.

[Toledo Mark]

Talk about a chore to get the wheel off. I have champion sidecar bags and had to remove the entire mounts too get to everything.
99 standard with 50k on it.  Got the rear wheel off.  Splines looks great. Shaft looks great. Gotta check the U-joint yet.


Question is.  Dampners look fine but when I put my finger in the wholes I can move them slightly like a 1/32 to 1/16 inch.  Should I replace?

Rear Bearings - They spin free one direction but not the other.  Should they be replaced?

[salty1]

Dampers are relatively inexpensive, since it's all apart, why not?   

[Grandpot]

Your rear bearings should not act like a ratchet.  They should turn both ways.

[Toledo Mark]

Is there a trick to removing the rear bearings?  I have not done it before, but I do have new ones.

[Grandpot]

There is a spacer that goes from bearing to bearing. You need to push it to one side to expose the inner race of the bearings. You can then use a long punch to drive the bearings out.

[Chrisj CMA]

Chances are your rear bearings are just fine.  Sounds like the internal spacer is binding and making them hard to check.......try this........put the axle in from teh opposite side of the bearing you are trying to check, that way the spacer should be straighter and then the bearing should turn smoothely both directions

[X Ring]

If you can't get a grip on the bearings to remove them, take a socket the same size as the inner race, place it on the inner race and tap on it with a hammer.  This will cause the bearing on the other side to move out enough so you can move the inner spacer enough to get a bite on the bearing with a punch or bearing remover.

Marty

[Toledo Mark]

After closer inspection the bearing do turn free both directions.  I think the spacer was interferring.   I think I will leave them in.  All is clean and all looks good.  I would take pictures but they would look like all others posted here.

The last time I had it apart was 25k ago when I went to the darkside with a GYTT.  Even with 25k on the tire I think I will leave it on and probably go another 12k.

When I did the service 25k ago I used Bel-Ray Assembly Lube with Molylube Solids and that crap was still stuck there.  I have gone through 4 cans of brake cleaner to clean off the old.  That is good crap.  I ride easy and try to stay out of the ran.  Of the 25k I probably had less than 800 miles in rain.

Now for a cool down rest and then re-assembly.

[Toledo Mark]

Chances are your rear bearings are just fine.  Sounds like the internal spacer is binding and making them hard to check.......try this........put the axle in from teh opposite side of the bearing you are trying to check, that way the spacer should be straighter and then the bearing should turn smoothely both directions

Damn Chris you are right on again.  Wish I could buy you  your favorite drink.

[Chrisj CMA]

great....just have done it few thousand times.........glad it worked

[Ricky-D]

Talk about a chore to get the wheel off. I have champion sidecar bags and had to remove the entire mounts too get to everything.
99 standard with 50k on it.  Got the rear wheel off.  Splines looks great. Shaft looks great. Gotta check the U-joint yet.


Question is.  Dampners look fine but when I put my finger in the wholes I can move them slightly like a 1/32 to 1/16 inch.  Should I replace?

Rear Bearings - They spin free one direction but not the other.  Should they be replaced?

I don't give that kind of test much credibility.

Insert the flange and then test how loose the whole assembly is!  You may change your view.

***

[Toledo Mark]

Insert the flange and then test how loose the whole assembly is!  You may change your view.

***

Since I have new ones I am going to swap them out.

[Toledo Mark]

While doing all this I get a flat in my car while driving to a parts store for cleaner.  Darn roofing nail.  Lucky I had a plug kit.  Car tire fixed.

[X Ring]

After closer inspection the bearing do turn free both directions.  I think the spacer was interferring.   I think I will leave them in.  All is clean and all looks good.  I would take pictures but they would look like all others posted here.

The last time I had it apart was 25k ago when I went to the darkside with a GYTT.  Even with 25k on the tire I think I will leave it on and probably go another 12k.

When I did the service 25k ago I used Bel-Ray Assembly Lube with Molylube Solids and that crap was still stuck there.  I have gone through 4 cans of brake cleaner to clean off the old.  That is good crap.  I ride easy and try to stay out of the ran.  Of the 25k I probably had less than 800 miles in rain.

Now for a cool down rest and then re-assembly.

You last did a final drive service 25K miles ago?   ???  How did the splines look?  If they're still good, you are lucky.  10K miles from now pull it and service it again.

Marty

[Toledo Mark]

After closer inspection the bearing do turn free both directions.  I think the spacer was interferring.   I think I will leave them in.  All is clean and all looks good.  I would take pictures but they would look like all others posted here.

The last time I had it apart was 25k ago when I went to the darkside with a GYTT.  Even with 25k on the tire I think I will leave it on and probably go another 12k.

When I did the service 25k ago I used Bel-Ray Assembly Lube with Molylube Solids and that crap was still stuck there.  I have gone through 4 cans of brake cleaner to clean off the old.  That is good crap.  I ride easy and try to stay out of the ran.  Of the 25k I probably had less than 800 miles in rain.

Now for a cool down rest and then re-assembly.

You last did a final drive service 25K miles ago?   ???  How did the splines look?  If they're still good, you are lucky.  10K miles from now pull it and service it again.

Marty

Splines look new and the grease was still there. No rust at all. I think I might as well replace the tire and get a new vavle stem.

[Jess from VA]

My first GATT has passed 36K miles and now needs replaced.... do what you want, but that tire should have at least 10K left...... just the right interval for the next rear end maintenance.

Also, I must say I have enjoyed the handling of the second half of my GATT more than I did the first half. 

[Toledo Mark]

Ordered a new General Altimax HP and a new KurveyGirl vavle stem.  I did plug the tire last year so I figure I might as well replace it this year.  I only ride about 5k a year anyway.  

[Brian]

Sounds like a testimonial on the Bel ray Assembly lube here too. Thanks for this info.

[Toledo Mark]

Sounds like a testimonial on the Bel ray Assembly lube here too. Thanks for this info.

Yep, I was not disappointed at all. 

[Brian]

I recommend you replace the 3 o-rings while you are in there and look at your pinion cup and drive shaft splines as well as the u-joint if your next service interval is in 25k miles. IMHO.

[BF]

As long as you've got the wheel off, why not go ahead and replace the dampners and the wheel bearings (since you already have them) too.  That way, you should be good to go for another 25 thousand.