350X swing-arm bearings

[atctim]

I have found that my swingarm bearings have failed in my 350X. I thought it was the carrier bearings, as they sound the same, but upon inspection, the carrier bearings are fine. Everything came apart will relative ease, except getting the old bearings out of the swing-arm. The inside bearing just kind of fell out, but the outside bearing was very siezed to the inside of the swinger tube. I used a die grinders and cut it down until it was paper thin, then used a hammer and a screw driver to get it out. It kind of just folded into itself. My problem now is that I can't get the new bearings in. I have already ruined one brand new one. It seems the inside, where the bearings go is very scaled and rusted. What is the best way to get it cleaned out so I can put my new bearings in???

Here is a picture of what I mean.

[blue27]

Dremel with a wire wheel or the cutting disc, just go lightly.

[atctim]

But it is like 10" or 12 " deep - I don't think Dremel makes an attachment that long???????

[Derrick Adams]

Your bearings shouldn't be that long. Most bearings are only 1 1/2" long. If you were able to cut the old ones out, you should be able to clean that same area and put the new ones in.
I've also heard that if you put the bearings in the freezer for a couple hours first it will shrink them a tad and make it easier to install them.

[atctim]

The problem reamins, they must both go in the same end. The two bearings have to enter the same side of the "sleeve". Anybody ever run into this?

[Xowner]

they each go in on there own side you put one side in then slide the spacer in then put the other side in

[atctim]

This 1985 350X swing arm has one end larger diameter than the other. You'll see in the pics that the bearing is in the one end (blurry photo), but the other side, you'll see that the bearing is a larger diameter than the hole on that end. It seems that the bearings can only go in one side. Is my swing arm different?? You can only put them in one end.

Should go this order:

Bearing, sleeve, 2nd bearing, then the end caps, then insert into frame and put the bolt in.

Please help, I'm lost!!!!!:wondering I still need to get the inside cleaned out. I'm just not sure how to go about it without damaging the swing arm.

I must be missing something here, but one end is open, and from what I see, the other end is all one piece. Maybe it comes apart??????????

[traxxasx]

what i think he is trying to say is one side is to small for the bearing to slide in from that side, so he thinks you have to put in in the bigger side and push it down the tube till it get to the smaller side.

[atctim]

Boy am I dumb! The t-shaped sleeve that was stuck in the other bearing cap is still in the swing arm. It only appeared to be one piece!!!! As you can see in the picture, it came out with one side, and did not with the other. After beating on it a while with minimal movement, and a hard hit to the thumb with a big hammer, I'm gonna put the heat to it. Thanks to all though. Here was my findings........As Homer would say DOH!!!!! Problem solved.