Swingarm bearings are exposed to water, dirt, impact, and heavy loads. Bearings should be replaced if they feel rough, bind while turning, make grinding noises, show rust, or have noticeable side-to-side movement.

Important: Bearing sizes, installation depths, spacer arrangements, circlip locations, and torque specifications vary by motorcycle. Take photos during disassembly and refer to the manufacturer’s service manual whenever possible.

TOOLS NEEDED

Recommended Tools

• Blind-bearing puller with expanding collets
• Slide hammer
• Bearing press or bearing installation tool
• Bearing driver set
• Heat gun
• Freezer
• Torque wrench
• Snap-ring or circlip pliers
• Seal puller or small pick
• Waterproof bearing grease
• Cleaning solvent and shop towels
• Safety glasses and heat-resistant gloves

Alternative Removal Tools

If a bearing puller and slide hammer are not available, most accessible bearings can be removed using:

• Long ratchet extension, drift, or punch
• Hammer
• Large sockets for use as bearing drivers

A proper brass or steel drift is preferred, but a long ratchet extension can work when used carefully. Avoid striking an extension so aggressively that it chips, mushrooms, or damages the bearing housing.

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

• Securely support the motorcycle before removing the wheel or swingarm.
• Remove the battery or disconnect the main power source on an electric motorcycle.
• Wear safety glasses when using a hammer, puller, press, or heat source.
• Keep heat and open flame away from batteries, fuel, brake cleaner, grease, shop towels, tires, and other flammable materials.
• A heat gun is preferred over an open-flame torch.
• Do not use a torch on a wheel with the tire installed.
• Apply heat to the bearing housing—not directly to the bearing.
• Do not overheat aluminum parts. Stop if the finish begins to discolor, smoke, or show signs of damage.
• Never drive a new bearing into place by striking its inner race.

PREPARING THE NEW BEARINGS

Cooling the new bearings slightly reduces their outside diameter and can make installation easier.

1. Confirm that the replacement bearings match the original bearing numbers and dimensions.
2. Leave each bearing in its sealed packaging or place it inside a clean, sealed plastic bag.
3. Put the bearings in a freezer for several hours or overnight.
4. Keep the bearings sealed until installation to reduce condensation.
5. Once removed from the freezer, install them promptly.

STEP 1 — SUPPORT THE MOTORCYCLE

Place the motorcycle on a secure stand so the frame is supported independently of the swingarm.

The motorcycle must remain stable after the rear wheel, shock, and swingarm are disconnected.

STEP 2 — REMOVE THE SWINGARM

Remove or disconnect:

• Rear wheel
• Chain
• Rear brake caliper or brake hose guides
• Lower shock bolt
• Swingarm pivot nut and pivot bolt

Support the swingarm as the pivot bolt is removed. Do not allow it to fall or hang from brake hoses or wiring.

Keep all washers, spacers, collars, and seals organized by side.

STEP 3 — WARM THE SWINGARM-BEARING AREA

Warm the swingarm boss evenly with a heat gun, hair dryer or torch.

Focus the heat on the swingarm surrounding the bearing rather than on the bearing itself.

Avoid overheating painted, powder-coated, carbon-fiber, bonded, or plastic components.

STEP 4 — REMOVE THE SWINGARM BEARINGS

Preferred Method: Blind-Bearing Puller

1. Insert the correct expanding collet into the bearing.
2. Lock it securely behind the bearing or bearing shell.
3. Attach the slide hammer.
4. Keep the puller straight.
5. Pull the bearing outward using controlled impacts.

This is especially useful for needle bearings installed in blind bores.

Alternative Method: Drift or Ratchet Extension

1. Insert a long drift or extension through the swingarm.
2. Catch the back edge of the bearing shell.
3. Tap around the bearing evenly.
4. Alternate sides so the bearing does not become crooked.
5. Remove any center spacer after the first bearing comes out.

STEP 5 — CLEAN AND INSPECT THE SWINGARM

Clean the bearing bores and all internal components.

Inspect for:

• Cracks around the pivot area
• Distorted or enlarged bearing bores
• Corrosion
• Damaged retaining grooves
• Worn center spacer
• Bent pivot bolt
• Grooved bearing sleeves
• Water or mud trapped inside the swingarm

If the bearing fit is loose, or the swingarm is cracked or distorted, stop and replace or professionally repair the damaged component.

SWINGARM-BEARING INSTALLATION

STEP 1 — PREPARE THE COMPONENTS

Confirm that the new bearings, seals, sleeves, and spacers match the original parts.

Freeze the bearings in sealed bags for several hours. Warm the swingarm-bearing area immediately before installation.

STEP 2 — INSTALL THE FIRST BEARING

Position the bearing squarely at the entrance of the bore.

Use:

• Bearing press
• Threaded installer
• Bearing driver
• Socket that contacts the outer shell only

Press the bearing to the original depth. Needle bearings may need to sit below the outer edge of the swingarm to leave room for the seal.

Do not guess the depth. Compare it with the opposite side or your disassembly photos

STEP 3 — INSTALL THE CENTER SPACER

Install any internal spacer tube before installing the second bearing.

Make sure the spacer:

• Is in the correct direction
• Is centered
• Is not crushed or bent
• Has not been left out

Leaving out the center spacer can cause the bearings to bind or fail when the pivot bolt is tightened.

STEP 4 — INSTALL THE REMAINING BEARINGS

Install each remaining bearing squarely and to the correct depth.

Apply force only to the bearing’s outer shell. Do not press through the needle rollers, inner sleeve, or inner race.

Install any circlips or retainers and confirm that they are fully seated.

STEP 5 — REINSTALL THE SWINGARM

Position the swingarm in the frame and reinstall:

• Frame spacers and washers
• Swingarm pivot bolt
• Linkage
• Lower shock bolt
• Chain or belt
• Rear brake components
• Rear wheel
• Guards and hose guides

Tighten all fasteners to the motorcycle manufacturer’s torque specifications.

Do not use an impact wrench for final tightening of the swingarm pivot, linkage, axle, or suspension fasteners.

FINAL INSPECTION

Before riding, verify that:

• The wheel rotates smoothly.
• The swingarm moves smoothly through its travel.
• There is no grinding, binding, or notchiness.
• There is no side-to-side wheel or swingarm play.
• All circlips are fully seated.
• All seals are installed correctly.
• Wheel and swingarm spacers are in the correct positions.
• Brake components have been reinstalled and tested.
• Chain or belt tension is correctly adjusted.
• Axle, pivot, linkage, shock, and brake fasteners are properly torqued.

Perform a slow-speed test ride and recheck the wheel, axle, swingarm pivot, and brake operation before returning the motorcycle to normal use.

IMPORTANT BEARING-INSTALLATION RULES

1. Heat the housing, not the bearing.
2. Freeze new bearings in a sealed bag to reduce condensation.
3. Install bearings perfectly square.
4. Apply force only to the outer race when pressing a bearing into a housing.
5. Do not continue hammering after the bearing is seated.
6. Do not forget internal spacers, sleeves, circlips, or seals.
7. Replace worn sleeves and collars along with the bearings.
8. Use the motorcycle manufacturer’s torque specifications during reassembly.
9. Stop if a bearing fits loosely or the housing is cracked, distorted, or heavily damaged.
10. Never ride the motorcycle if the wheel or swingarm has binding or excessive movement after reassembly.