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hello, I took apart the linkage rods just to check to conditions off the bearings in the link arm, cant feel any slop to talk off and there was still some clear grease from the factory there , Can I just fill them up with more bel ray grease with my finger while the bearings are still in the link, or do I have to take them out?thanks

If you have come this far, take them out and clean them, then grease them.

I'd do the same. Get everything super clean & grease it all up. Take your time & have fun!

You don't need to remove the bearings from their host parts. Just disassemble the linkage, clean out the bearings with brake parts cleaner (be careful with this stuff!), dry, then repack with new Bel Ray waterproof grease. Just wipe the rubber parts clean with a clean rag.

SS109 wrote:You don't need to remove the bearings from their host parts. Just disassemble the linkage, clean out the bearings with brake parts cleaner (be careful with this stuff!), dry, then repack with new Bel Ray waterproof grease. Just wipe the rubber parts clean with a clean rag.

" new Bel Ray waterproof grease"

Is used not good enough? LOL (following your lead in the Odessa thread) AH HA HA

Some brake cleaners are not good for the seals, just check the directions on the can.

If the bearings are pretty clean, get what you can with a rag, then regrease once a year depending on conditions. Also do the upper shock bearing it takes quite a load.

I don't worry about "waterproof" most quality grease will cover that.

There is a bushing on the top of the shock, is there not??

Since servicing my first Pro Link in 81, that's the only bearing point I ever had to replace.

deepwoods, which model KDX is this??

firsthere, I think the 1989+ just have a bushing in the top. It's a rubber piece with a steel sleeve in the center.

hi jason, its a 2001 kdx 200 H modell, if its a bearing at the top of the shock please let me know, I will check out the parts fiche on partzilla too. thanks guys , I appreciate you coming on back to me.

It's a bushing. Go look at your bike. (IF you have it close at hand)

Jason wrote:

SS109 wrote:You don't need to remove the bearings from their host parts. Just disassemble the linkage, clean out the bearings with brake parts cleaner (be careful with this stuff!), dry, then repack with new Bel Ray waterproof grease. Just wipe the rubber parts clean with a clean rag.

" new Bel Ray waterproof grease"

Is used not good enough? LOL (following your lead in the Odessa thread) AH HA HA

Used but clean is good. You got me!

firsthere wrote:Some brake cleaners are not good for the seals, just check the directions on the can.

If the bearings are pretty clean, get what you can with a rag, then regrease once a year depending on conditions. Also do the upper shock bearing it takes quite a load.

I don't worry about "waterproof" most quality grease will cover that.

You just pop out the rubber seals so the brake cleaner doesn't hurt them. It's not hard to remove and reinsert them. As for the waterproof grease, if you never do water crossings or deep mud holes then, yeah, regular grease works fine. If your bike does see deep water then the waterproof grease won't wash out which helps to protect your bearings. Water (so is dirt and dust for that matter) and bearings are a bad mix and that's why they are supposed to be serviced every 300 miles per the manual. That 300 miles is about once a month for me. I'm lazy though so I use the Bel Ray waterproof stuff and I have increased my service intervals to just once a year with no ill effects. YMMV and, of course, IMO!

thanks guys, I will make sure to use NEW bel ray grease hehe! good one

Whether wet conditions or not, Bel-ray Waterproof Grease is a "known good" linkage and bearing grease for dirt bikes. Your "already owned" tub o' grease may or may not be good enough, but Bel-ray surely is.

yes don't hardly ride in wet spots, theres a minimum of dust here to, and I don't ever spray directly with the power washer towards the bearing either..but I don't mind spending money on premium grease and oil etc. want the ride the bike when I am 70 hehe

Personally, I use whatever *bearing* grease I have sitting around. I use an electric pressure washer on my bike. I go thru deep water and ride in mud and mild muddy sand. Basically the last thing on my mind is if I'm hurting my linkage bearings.

I pull my bike down once a year. Th first thing I do is lift rear of bike off ground, grab top of the wheel/tire and pull up to feel for play. If there's any play, find it and replace bearing(s). That being said, I almost never have to replace bearings. Like 2 in 7 years of riding 100+ hours per year. What I DO have to do is replace seals. You can clean them bearings all you want, but if the seals aren't sealing whats the point?

To each their own!