Hello everyone again, I'm looking for any sugestions on getting that darn bolt out of my swing arm. I have a 99' 400ex, and have neglected to replace my bearings since I had it new, now I'm paying for it!

I'm a little learey on using a saw za on the swing arm. I've heated it with a propane torch, but not a welding torch. I don't know how much I can heat the aluminum swing arm. The dealer believes the bolt is bent just slightly. Any one with similar problem please advise me on how you got it out without wrecking the swingarm.

My last resort is cutting the swingarm off and replacing entire unit with a LSR or lonestar swing arm. What a pain in the a**! Please everyone learn from this, KEEP THOSE BEARING GREASED! Thanks!

Ride red and ride hard!

 

Try spraying a bunch of liquid wrench near the bolt, let it sit a while, then take an air powered impact wrench to the bolt. Work it reverse and foreward. If this does not work try a press or sledge hammer!
ERIC

 

Before you do anything drastic, try some penetrating oil and an air wrench. If the bolt is just stuck to the spacers, hold the spacers with vise-grips and then turn it with the air wrench. This worked for me, but my bearings were fine. The bolt just seized to the spacers. If you end up having to cut it, take the sub-frame and shock off, flip the swingarm up against the frame, and cut the bolt/spacers between the swingarm. Then try to get the pieces loose. Try everything possible before you cut the swingarm.

 

Can't you hit the other end with a punch and a sledge hammer?

 

Liberally apply a penetrating oil such as WD-40 or JB80, heat up the swingarm and pound out the bolt. It will take a while, but it works. If you have an impact wrench, that will probably save lots of time. Make sure to drill a couple holes in the bolt, and install a grease zerk before you re-install everything.

I am not sure how hot you can get the aluminum swingarm. I recently worked on my 250R, and it has a steel swingarm, so heat isn't as big of an issue.

 

How often are you suppose to take the pivot bolt out and lube the bearings?

 

I had a similiar problem with my 400EX. Bacically, all I did was use some penetrating oil and some serious huevos (beat it with a hammer). Mine was acutally seized to the spacer and not to any bearings. I wouldnt recommend heat cause you are going to set the rubber scuff pads on the swingarm on fire.

Adam Smith

99 400EX

99 400EX