Andylaser
Member
Dropped my bike of for its 12K service on Friday and asked the dealer to drop the swing arm and grease up the drive shaft UJ and splines, the rear suspension pivots and swing arm bearings and pivot bolts. I got a phone call towards the end of the day saying there were numerous seized bolts and they would need the bike for another day. On returning a day later, this was there assessment.
To drop the swing arm, you need to remove the rear half of the exhaust system. The joint collar nuts were seized, so they had to drop the complete system. This also highlighted the header clamp nuts were also seized. These nuts were eventually removed, the studding on the heed was wire brushed clean, the nuts had a thread cleaning tap run through them. The clamp bolt for the silencer was cut and replaced.
It took 2 hours to remove the swing arm pivot bolts. There were contemplating cutting one of them if they couldn't get it out. However, the replacement was £40 and they didn't have one in stock. The bottom pivot for the rear shock was also seized onto the swing arm, but eventually released. The rest of the suspension stripped down pretty easily.
Their inspection of the drive shaft revealed it did need the UJ greasing, so at least all the effort wasn't in vain. On reassembly, the threads were tapped clean and all bolts were rotary wire brushed. Everything was assembled with lots of copper grease. I ride everyday, whatever the weather and the bike is not babied in any way. I was surprised so many fasteners were so comprehensively seized. Would have been a seriously difficult DIY job without a well prepared workshop.
Anyway, if you are thinking of whether or not to check the UJ for grease, do it, as it might not be just the UJ that is seized.
To drop the swing arm, you need to remove the rear half of the exhaust system. The joint collar nuts were seized, so they had to drop the complete system. This also highlighted the header clamp nuts were also seized. These nuts were eventually removed, the studding on the heed was wire brushed clean, the nuts had a thread cleaning tap run through them. The clamp bolt for the silencer was cut and replaced.
It took 2 hours to remove the swing arm pivot bolts. There were contemplating cutting one of them if they couldn't get it out. However, the replacement was £40 and they didn't have one in stock. The bottom pivot for the rear shock was also seized onto the swing arm, but eventually released. The rest of the suspension stripped down pretty easily.
Their inspection of the drive shaft revealed it did need the UJ greasing, so at least all the effort wasn't in vain. On reassembly, the threads were tapped clean and all bolts were rotary wire brushed. Everything was assembled with lots of copper grease. I ride everyday, whatever the weather and the bike is not babied in any way. I was surprised so many fasteners were so comprehensively seized. Would have been a seriously difficult DIY job without a well prepared workshop.
Anyway, if you are thinking of whether or not to check the UJ for grease, do it, as it might not be just the UJ that is seized.
