neonsurge Posted December 27, 2003 Report Share Posted December 27, 2003 After reading the thread re. rear suspension play in another section recently, while checking my bike prior to tomorrow's trial I thought I'd see if there was any play on my bike. Bugger me, there's about 15mm vertical play in the swingarm (although no horizontal movement, fortunately). I guess the problem is where the linkage connects to the bottom of the shock, correct? Is it a difficult job for a mechanically-challenged person such as myself? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marky g Posted December 27, 2003 Report Share Posted December 27, 2003 Can be a tricky job You'll need a good vice to press the new bearings back in, I would have a guess that there is play in your suspension linkage bearings. The last ones I did were on an old Beta TR34, the bearings cost me best part of Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charliechitlins Posted December 27, 2003 Report Share Posted December 27, 2003 Actually, it's pretty easy. If you check the Sherco website, there's a great article (with pics) about servicing the bearings. The Sherco and the GG are quite similar. Don't bother disconnecting the shock at the top. Use a little heat and just the right size socket to tap out the bearings. If you keep them straight, you can tap them in carefully with a plastic hammer or a regular hammer with a block of wood to protect the bearing. It's a shame this job has to be done so often. My TY350 had grease nipples and the original bearings were tight after 17 years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dab-man Posted December 27, 2003 Report Share Posted December 27, 2003 Your not wrong about it being a shame having to do the bearings so often wasn't it great on the TY250 with the grease nipples, one quick pump on them with a grease gun after washing the bike and they would last forever. I`ve got my 95 Gas Gas suspension in parts at the moment to renew the bearings. :santa1: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neonsurge Posted December 27, 2003 Author Report Share Posted December 27, 2003 Thanks for all the advice. I knew that this bike needed "a little work" when I bought it, but the amount I'm spending on spares (including c&s, wheel and head bearings, wiring loom, muffler and assorted other bits and pieces so far) are starting to make what I originally thought was a bit of a bargain look like a false economy! Still, the engine's fine so far.... ...bang!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jtt Posted December 28, 2003 Report Share Posted December 28, 2003 When changing out bearings, I use a couple of well selected sockets and a bench vise. Find a socket that is just slightly smaller than the bearing OD, then another with a ID greater than that of the bearing. Place the link in the vise, one socket on one side, the second on the other. Then tighten the vise. It works just like a press to push the bearing out. Nice and smooth, no hammering needed. Reverse the procedure for reinstallation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nigel dabster Posted December 28, 2003 Report Share Posted December 28, 2003 Take all the bits apart and there should be numbers on the outer shell, I got 2 sets and the brake bearing for Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alan bechard Posted December 28, 2003 Report Share Posted December 28, 2003 (edited) Shameless plug I guess, but here is a very nice way to do it. The others work fine as well. https://secure.rypusa.com/prodpage.cfm?Cat_...ct_Selected=258 Smooth, no muss, no fuss no damaged bearings. Oh, and forgot to add, that while you may be able to get the bearings from a bearing house, I doubt you will be able to get the "inner Race" or hat bushing, which if you have toasted the bearing the odds are good that it needs to be replaced as well. Support your local shop, and they will support you when you are in a bind. Edited December 28, 2003 by Alan Bechard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neonsurge Posted December 29, 2003 Author Report Share Posted December 29, 2003 While I've been surprised how easy my GasGas is to work on compared to the 4-stroke trail and enduro bikes I've been riding for the past few years, I think this job will be a step too far for me and since I have a very friendly local dealer, I think I'll just let him have at it and ask if I can watch. Thanks for everyone's help! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neonsurge Posted January 12, 2004 Author Report Share Posted January 12, 2004 Total cost of all parts required to service the rear suspension linkage: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jtt Posted January 12, 2004 Report Share Posted January 12, 2004 I'd be tempted to just buy the complete dogbones and put them in yourself. But first, take them all off yourself and have a look. Taking the "bones" off is not a big job. Then you'll have them on the bench where you can take a good look and likely tell if they are elongated or not. It's really not a huge undertaking, really. I have to do a set on a friends 200 Pro and will take pics for you and give you a "step by step" toutorial, with pics if you want. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jtlaw1 Posted January 13, 2004 Report Share Posted January 13, 2004 I clean and lube the the dog bones about every 3 months if you dont the bearings will not last . It only takes about 30 min to do it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wayne thais Posted January 13, 2004 Report Share Posted January 13, 2004 New bearings or old I would recommend packing them with a mixture of waterproof wheel bearing grease and anti seize. I have been doing this to all of my bikes for several years and have never had to replace a bearing. However bearing life is very dependent on the riding conditions. I try to stay out of water as much as possible. Wayne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neonsurge Posted January 13, 2004 Author Report Share Posted January 13, 2004 It's really not a huge undertaking, really. I have to do a set on a friends 200 Pro and will take pics for you and give you a "step by step" toutorial, with pics if you want. Thanks for the offer, although just replacing the whole dogbone assemblies doesn't look too difficult - I might send out an SOS if I do manage to screw it up though! I use the old adage of "if it ain't coming off, clamp it with mole grips and hit it with a mallet". Wayne - Not riding in water and wet mud isn't really an option in Yorkshire!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaylael Posted January 15, 2004 Report Share Posted January 15, 2004 Neonsurge: The dogbone assys have been updated with a stronger more beefy design. They also come with bearings in them. The chances of your old ones being useable after all that clunking is virtually none. Replace them both. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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