"08" suspension bearing failure.

[kxpegger]

http://contour.com/stories/08-kawasaki-450f-bearing-failure

[Friar-Tuck]

  Hey Pegger,
 Good info on the newer suspension bearing and what to look for.   What do you think causes the end of the pins to break.
   It appears the end is only for alignment, and the centers are supposed to carry the load.  Is there a "Fix" or do you just have to R&R and keep an eye on them?
    Tuck\o/

[kxpegger]

Friar,

It just may be my turn in the barrel. I must admit that I have hammered the bike out here in the desert. My best one was a 30ft vertical drop off of a cliff about a 1 1/2 years ago... another one of my smooth moves! Landing was a perfect 10 but I did sustain some long term injury for awhile but not bad enough to keep me off my bikes.

I'm going to measure the ID and OD's to see if the Suzuki bearings will fit. If I remember right the Honda used full caged bearings in that area but I'm not sure which style would be better. Both of my Zooks have been hammered pretty good also but no problems yet with their style of bearings.

When I took things apart there was plenty of grease left so I don't think lubrication was the issue. For now I'm just going to replace with Kawasaki OEM's and like you said keep an eye things a little more often.

[cyclepsych0]

I wonder if an aftermarket set, like pivot works, would be some sort of upgrade? 

Sucks the stock ones failed, but atleast you caught it in time!

[greencannon]

Out here in water and mud country that problem is common place. I assume the desert terrain out there lets them live quite a bit longer.
however I am confused with your description of the bearing. I never owned a KX450 but all my other Kaws - KXs and KDXs had needle bearings in the linkages that would certainly fall out if you were not careful come time to grease them. Did u say they are not supposed to do that ?? I usualy slide the sleeve out halfway clean then regrease and the repeat for the other side, never removing any needles. For me seems once needles come out its over....Ive tried to pull them all out and clean reassembleand grease but the bearing would always fail a very short time later.  The halfway with the sleeve method has been working good for me for years. I get about a season and a half by maintaining with this method, around these parts thats real good.
Nice informative vid anyhow....

[kxpegger]

Out here in water and mud country that problem is common place. I assume the desert terrain out there lets them live quite a bit longer.
however I am confused with your description of the bearing. I never owned a KX450 but all my other Kaws - KXs and KDXs had needle bearings in the linkages that would certainly fall out if you were not careful come time to grease them. Did u say they are not supposed to do that ?? I usualy slide the sleeve out halfway clean then regrease and the repeat for the other side, never removing any needles. For me seems once needles come out its over....Ive tried to pull them all out and clean reassembleand grease but the bearing would always fail a very short time later.  The halfway with the sleeve method has been working good for me for years. I get about a season and a half by maintaining with this method, around these parts thats real good.
Nice informative vid anyhow....

I cannot address what older Kawasaki models used only my "08" 450F chassis 500AF. It uses whats called a drawn cup closed end needle bearing with non-removable rollers. The outer race is pressed (formed) around the roller bearing end pins. Also the bearing is designed to be pressed in only one way to avoid damage. The second link states that the bearing must be pressed in by the part numbered stamped side of the bearing.

http://www.timken.com/en-us/solutions/automotive/aftermarket/lightduty/TechTips/Documents/Vol5Iss1_Needle_Bearing_Installation_Part2of3.pdf

http://www.timken.com/en-us/solutions/automotive/aftermarket/lightduty/TechTips/Documents/Vol5Iss2_Needle_Bearing_Installation_Part3of3.pdf

[Friar-Tuck]

 Good Grief Charlie Brown....
It seems something that has to be that delicately placed has no business as a shock linkage...or have I just been up too long??
   Good find on the installation Pete, Who'da Thunk...
I'm with you on looking for a beefier solution.   Unfortunately I don't even know how to go about finding a reasonable replacement/solution...
  I mean, if you did go OEM, could you be assured you could meet the installation criteria without damaging your new $100.00 needle bearings??  OY!  (insert forehead slap!)
   Thanks again for following up.
   Tuck\o/ 

[greencannon]

sounds like a case of over-engineering....they should have left well enough alone, realisticaly how much if any improvement did that new bearing style make ?? looks like none after the original post
does Pro circuit make a linkage that uses different bearings ?

[greencannon]

Almost forgot, When installing these types of bearings weather using press or tap in, I always make it a point to use a shorter cut piece of an old sleeve, about the same width of the bearing. Install cut piece into bearing before pressing or tapping.  This helps keep neddles in place and keeps the race from deforming under load of installation. Works like a charm, especialy if your in a hurry to fix and dont have a press nearby.