Kawasaki Forums - Rocker Arm Bearings

Last night I did the swingarm bearings, tonight I did the rocker arm bearings. It's probably easier to do both at the same time, but I didn't think about doing them last night. The good is that the rocker arm is still easily removable with the swingarm, rear wheel, and everything else in place.

Start by removing the lower dogbone bolts:

http://nobrakes.smugmug.com/photos/100489745-L.jpg

http://nobrakes.smugmug.com/photos/100489880-L.jpg

Remove the rocker arm pivot nut and bolt:

http://nobrakes.smugmug.com/photos/100489819-L.jpg

I recently treated myself to a set of those nice stainless steel IMS off-road footpegs that Bad Bear wrote about. They are nice and wide and comfortable, but the left one does interfere with removing the rocker arm pivot bolt, so I had to remove my left footpeg - you probably don't if you have the stock pegs:

http://nobrakes.smugmug.com/photos/100489945-L.jpg

http://nobrakes.smugmug.com/photos/100490015-L.jpg

After removing the dogbone bolt, tilt them down to expose the rear shock absorber lower mounting bolt. You can hardly see it due to the grime, sorry deej - it's not my fault, really :eek: more builds up here due to chain oil - that's my story and I'm sticking with it ;). Remove that bolt - the one you can't see because it is covered by grime:

http://nobrakes.smugmug.com/photos/100490112-L.jpg

Only those three bolts need be removed and the rocker arm comes free:

http://nobrakes.smugmug.com/photos/100490229-L.jpg

Clean it up in preparation for exposing the bearings:

http://nobrakes.smugmug.com/photos/100490353-L.jpg

For the larger two bearings, push the sleeve from the bottom and it will slide out - pull it the rest of the way:

http://nobrakes.smugmug.com/photos/100490416-L.jpg

http://nobrakes.smugmug.com/photos/100490509-L.jpg

As with the swingarm, the bearings are only very lightly greased - not much there at all:

http://nobrakes.smugmug.com/photos/100490661-L.jpg

Like before, squeeze and pack in as much grease as the bearings will accept - they had hardly any from the factory, but now they are fully packed which will provide lubrication and keep out any water that manages to get past the seals:

http://nobrakes.smugmug.com/photos/100490827-L.jpg

Clean off the sleeve good, then lightly grease it and insert it back into the bearing cartridge wipe off any excess:

http://nobrakes.smugmug.com/photos/100490932-L.jpg

For the smaller bearing, pry out the seal with a screw driver:

http://nobrakes.smugmug.com/photos/100491076-L.jpg

Remove the sleeve and the other seal to expose more undergreased bearings:

http://nobrakes.smugmug.com/photos/100491166-L.jpg

Pack these the same way and clean and lightly grease the sleeve, reinsert one seal, followed by the sleeve, followed by the other seal, wipe off any excess.

To put it all back together, "Installation is the reverse of removal:" - ha ha, I love that:

http://nobrakes.smugmug.com/photos/100491285-L.jpg

Again, this is another easy procedure, just need your torque wrench, no special tricks or anything and it goes pretty quick. You do need a jack or something to get the rear wheel off the ground.

So at this point, I think all the major bearings in the rear end have been serviced. Next up for me might be the steering bearings but Deej already covered that so I get to use his photos now.