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Greasing swingarm bearings without removing wheel

Posted: 03:25 pm Aug 07 2019
by vchris
Hey guys, got my first dirt bike, a KDX220 2005. I did my first ride 2 weeks ago and the bike was great. Noticed it was really squeaky and it seemed to come from the rear suspension, the swingarm bolt more specifically. I'd like to wait for winter for a full grease job. Is it acceptable to only remove the swingarm bolt, grease it and slide it back in? As long as it's not seized of course.

Re: Greasing swingarm bearings without removing wheel

Posted: 03:47 pm Aug 07 2019
by kdxsully
vchris wrote: 03:25 pm Aug 07 2019 Hey guys, got my first dirt bike, a KDX220 2005. I did my first ride 2 weeks ago and the bike was great. Noticed it was really squeaky and it seemed to come from the rear suspension, the swingarm bolt more specifically. I'd like to wait for winter for a full grease job. Is it acceptable to only remove the swingarm bolt, grease it and slide it back in? As long as it's not seized of course.
On my older one there are sleeves in there that neeed to come out to grease it. Check out your parts diagram on partzilla.com.

Re: Greasing swingarm bearings without removing wheel

Posted: 09:23 pm Aug 07 2019
by KDXGarage
Welcome to kdxrider.net.

If it is already squeaking, then the time to act is now. Maybe you won't have to instantly replace parts.

No, you can't just take the swingarm bolt out and get grease onto the bearings.

I sincerely wish you luck on it. They can be tough!

Re: Greasing swingarm bearings without removing wheel

Posted: 10:02 pm Aug 07 2019
by doakley
Short answer, no. Your next purchase should be a service manual if you don't already have one. At minimum you'll need to grease the bearings. Might as well do the linkage, shock and wheel bearings while you have it apart. You'll need a heat gun and a freezer to put the bearings in for a couple of hours before installing new ones. (If you have to replace bearings, which if they are squeezing, is likely.)

Re: Greasing swingarm bearings without removing wheel

Posted: 08:32 am Aug 12 2019
by vchris
Pulled the swingarm this weekend. Left bearing is good but right is really dirty. I'll be replacing the right one only and greasing the left. I'm wondering isn't there a bearing between the swingarm, on the engine end? That's gotta be terrible to change?

Re: Greasing swingarm bearings without removing wheel

Posted: 08:52 am Aug 12 2019
by KDXGarage

Re: Greasing swingarm bearings without removing wheel

Posted: 10:26 am Aug 12 2019
by vchris
I see there is one but no one seems to be documenting it. How is it called if not swingarm bearing? Any videos on this?

Re: Greasing swingarm bearings without removing wheel

Posted: 10:42 am Aug 12 2019
by KDXGarage
I am not sure which bearing you are talking about. Can you post a link and the reference number on the picture? Thanks!

Re: Greasing swingarm bearings without removing wheel

Posted: 01:02 pm Aug 12 2019
by vchris
See attached image. Hope you like my drawing.

Re: Greasing swingarm bearings without removing wheel

Posted: 03:44 pm Aug 12 2019
by kdxsully
Where’s the bearing? Part #? Mine doesn’t have a bearing in there.

Re: Greasing swingarm bearings without removing wheel

Posted: 05:38 pm Aug 12 2019
by KDXGarage
No bearing there, just a hollow section.

92042 are pins to help with alignment.

Re: Greasing swingarm bearings without removing wheel

Posted: 05:42 pm Aug 12 2019
by kdxsully
KDXGarage wrote: 05:38 pm Aug 12 2019 No bearing there, just a hollow section.

92042 are pins to help with alignment.
I just stuff mine with grease and move on with my life. It’s too tight for a bearing.

Re: Greasing swingarm bearings without removing wheel

Posted: 10:33 am Aug 13 2019
by vchris
ah fantastic! thanks guys.

Re: Greasing swingarm bearings without removing wheel

Posted: 04:58 pm Aug 13 2019
by doakley
Engine doesn't move, swing arm does. Clean, inspect, grease (if good) or replace the swing arm bearings (and seals!). Grease the bolt before you reinstall. While you're down there, do the same for all the linkage bearings and shock bearing as well. Bike will handle better!

Re: Greasing swingarm bearings without removing wheel

Posted: 08:23 pm Aug 13 2019
by kdxsully
doakley wrote: 04:58 pm Aug 13 2019 Engine doesn't move, swing arm does. Clean, inspect, grease (if good) or replace the swing arm bearings (and seals!). Grease the bolt before you reinstall. While you're down there, do the same for all the linkage bearings and shock bearing as well. Bike will handle better!
Yup. The bolt doesn’t rotate whatsoever, neither does the motor (hopefully)

Re: Greasing swingarm bearings without removing wheel

Posted: 12:38 am Aug 14 2019
by KDXGarage
The bolt and engine SHOULDN'T move. If either does, then there is a much bigger problem.

DO put some grease / anti-seize or SOMETHING in there to ease removal of the bolt in the future.

Re: Greasing swingarm bearings without removing wheel

Posted: 08:05 pm Oct 23 2019
by 2001KDX220R
Just a friendly reminder that the Kawasaki service manual specifically calls out a molybdenum grease for the swingarm and lower rear shock linkage bearings. I believe the reason for this is that the movement of the joints are low speed (unlike a car wheel bearing at 80 MPH) but very high pressure (lots of compressive forces on the bearing rollers). "moly" grease is the black stuff. I have a tube tucked away specific for rear suspensions.

Re: Greasing swingarm bearings without removing wheel

Posted: 08:20 pm Oct 23 2019
by KDXGarage
Bel-ray Waterproof grease and Maxima grease have worked well for me.