Crap..

[mrbill5491]

Gotta wheel bearing I need to change out of the rear wheel. It's pushed up against the inner spacer and no way to get a punch down on to it. Now what?

[bwringer]

You have to push the spacer just a wee bit to one side. It doesn't take much space, but you need a good punch with a clean tip.

There are also ways to remove bearings with a slide hammer setup with collets, but that always seems to take longer and half the time these things don't really work very well.

If you're truly stuck, you might try inserting an expandable concrete anchor and then pounding on that.

[rwcfrank]

Warming the wheel helps a great deal too.

[mrbill5491]

Oh I'm truly stuck, not sure how the bearing got that snug, I always keep some free play on the spacer. I think that is what ruined the bearing is the tightness. I like the concrete anchor thing though.

You have to push the spacer just a wee bit to one side. It doesn't take much space, but you need a good punch with a clean tip.

There are also ways to remove bearings with a slide hammer setup with collets, but that always seems to take longer and half the time these things don't really work very well.

If you're truly stuck, you might try inserting an expandable concrete anchor and then pounding on that.

[Agemax]

can you not knock the other bearing out on the other side so the spacer comes out? if you are going to replace one bearing you may as well replace both

[FLHGSRay]

I always keep some free play on the spacer. I think that is what ruined the bearing is the tightness.

Not sure exactly what you mean by keeping free play on the spacer, but there should not be any free space between the spacer and the bearing. When you tighten the axle, the side pressure should transfer from the outside spacer through the inner bearing race to the spacer, then to the other inner bearing race and outside spacer, keeping any side pressure off of the rollers. If you're leaving space between the bearing and the spacer, you could be applying side pressure to the rollers. I guess the bearing would eventually seat, but not before destroying the rollers. Did you recently replace the bearings? Maybe I'm not understanding what you meant.

[koolaid_kid]

can you not knock the other bearing out on the other side so the spacer comes out? if you are going to replace one bearing you may as well replace both

That is a valid point; they both are probably the same age with the same amount of miles on them. And someone on here knows the generic part numbers and sources so you don't have to pay Suzuki prices.

[mrbill5491]

No, both bearings are tight against the spacer and I had just replaced the bearings about 2 years ago. For some reason the one bearing is becoming rough the other is smooth as a baby's butt. When I installed them I made sure there was some free space with the spacer though not sure how it got tight like that. I even torque it to spec and didn't notice them moving any.

can you not knock the other bearing out on the other side so the spacer comes out? if you are going to replace one bearing you may as well replace both

[Agemax]

get a large screwdriver/prybar/drift in there and tap the spacer sideways a bit so you can get a purchase on the bearing

[mrbill5491]

Done tried that no go. This is the first time I've had something like this ever happen.

[bwringer]

Not sure exactly what you mean by keeping free play on the spacer, but there should not be any free space between the spacer and the bearing. When you tighten the axle, the side pressure should transfer from the outside spacer through the inner bearing race to the spacer, then to the other inner bearing race and outside spacer, keeping any side pressure off of the rollers. If you're leaving space between the bearing and the spacer, you could be applying side pressure to the rollers. I guess the bearing would eventually seat, but not before destroying the rollers. Did you recently replace the bearings? Maybe I'm not understanding what you meant.

No, both bearings are tight against the spacer and I had just replaced the bearings about 2 years ago. For some reason the one bearing is becoming rough the other is smooth as a baby's butt. When I installed them I made sure there was some free space with the spacer though not sure how it got tight like that. I even torque it to spec and didn't notice them moving any.

Well, there's your problem -- the bearings have to be installed so the inner race is tight against the spacer.

[FLHGSRay]

That's why your bearing went bad.

If you left a gap between the spacer and bearing, the bearing wasn't fully seated. When you torqued the axle down, it put a side load on the bearing as it closed up that gap you left. That's why your bearing went bad. The spacer needs to be tightly squeezed between the two bearings when you torque the axle.

[mrbill5491]

Ugh, time for the torch I guess lol. Yeah I had just replaced the rear bearings about 2 years ago, replaced the front ones as well. I mean the rears have been in the wheel since new though were still smooth and the grease was good. Anyways, once I get this one out, I'll make sure I get it seated like FLHGSRay said.

[FLHGSRay]

If you're having that much trouble getting it out, it could be that it got so hot from the side load put on it, that it welded in place. I've seen it happen on cars, never on a bike.

[mrbill5491]

Nope not welded. Just tight. I pulled the rubber seal off to take a look see at the bearing, grease was fine. Did find a couple balls that had flat spots on them probably the reason for the roughness I felt. I'm thinking a couple of flawed balls got past inspection.

If you're having that much trouble getting it out, it could be that it got so hot from the side load put on it, that it welded in place. I've seen it happen on cars, never on a bike.