How to Replace the Swingarm Bearings on a 600 Grizzly

The rear suspension on a Yamaha 600 Grizzly all-terrain vehicle consists of dual swingarms and a coil-over mono-shock. Bearings inside hubs at the forward end of each swingarm allow the arms to pivot up and down as you encounter bumps. Typically, you install new bearings as part of an extended maintenance program or when replacing a damaged swingarm. Replacing the swingarm bearings on a 600 Grizzly requires a bearing kit and basic mechanical skills. If necessary, ask a qualified Yamaha mechanic for assistance.

Things You'll Need

• Bearing kit
• Repair stand or wood blocks
• Floor jack or hydraulic jack
• Metric sockets
• Ratchet or impact wrench
• Locking pliers
• Bearing puller
• Spray lubricant
• Shop rags
• Rubber mallet

Instructions

Preparation

1. Elevate the rear wheels off the floor with a repair stand or wood blocks under the engine frame. Remove the lugs at the rear wheels with a metric socket on a ratchet or an impact driver. Pull off the rear wheels to access the right and left swingarms.

2. Position a wood block at the underside of the rear axle housings. Support the rear suspension by raising a floor jack or hydraulic jack against the underside of the block.

3. Pry the dust caps off the hubs at the forward ends of each swingarm with a screwdriver. Remove and replace the bearings one at a time using the procedures in the following sections.

Bearing Removal

1. Attach locking pliers onto the rim of the metal plug at the swingarm hub where the dust cap was removed. Rotate the pliers counterclockwise and remove the plug to access the pivot bolt. Save the plug.

2. Loosen and remove the pivot bolt inside the swingarm hub with a socket and ratchet. You’ll notice an O-ring and circular metal collar on the inner stem of the bolt. Save the bolt, O-ring and collar.

3. Pry the oil seal retainer ring and the rubber oil seal out of the inside of the hub with a screwdriver, taking care not to scratch the inner surfaces of the hub. Discard the retainer ring and oil seal.

4. Fit the jaws of a small bearing puller against the inner surface of the bearing. Tighten the handle of the puller clockwise to remove the bearing. Discard the bearing.

5. Remove any dust or debris from the inside of the swingarm hub with spray lubricant and a shop rag.

Bearing Replacement

1. Fit the new bearing from the kit into the swingarm hub by hand. Hold the closed end of a large socket against the outer face of the bearing with one hand. Tap the open end of the socket with a rubber mallet to seat the bearing fully into the hub.

2. Install the rubber bearing seal from the kit into the hub by hand. Seat it against the bearing using the large socket and rubber mallet. Fit the retainer ring from the kit inside the hub and against the face of the oil seal.

3. Thread the saved pivot bolt with O-ring and collar into the center of the swingarm hub. Tighten the bolt with the socket and ratchet. Reattach the saved metal plug using locking pliers. Reattach the dust cap by tapping it onto the outer end of the hub with a rubber mallet.

4. Mount the rear wheels. Tighten the lugs with the socket and ratchet or impact wrench. Lower the jack at the rear end and remove the wood block. Remove the repair stand or blocks from the underside of the engine frame.

Tips & Warnings

• Specify pre-lubricated bearings. If these are not available, lubricate the bearings with Yamaha or other off-road bearing grease before installation.

References

• Yamaha: 1998 Grizzly 600 Specifications
• Bike Bandit: 1998 Yamaha GRIZZLY / YFM600FWAK Parts – Rear Arm