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Rear Axle Bearing Help/Tips

25K views 16 replies 9 participants last post by  Wilms 
#1 ·
This will be my second time replacing the bearings and seals in the rear end of my 03 pred. I know for sure that I messed something up the first time, so I want to make sure its prefect this time. To my knowledge the correct installation is to hand pack the bearings, pump grease in zerk, grease up seals and slide in and tighten axle. Then there are other factors like chain tight/looseness, and axle nuttight/loose. I really just wanted to get a solid thread dedicated to the rear axle bearing installation, and everything that goes along with it. So if anyone has any good info willing to share it would be greatly appreciated.

So what I've got from reading is that the chain should have about an inch and a half freeplay without straping up a tiedown. The axle nut should be 1/4 of a turn backed off after tightning fully...And not to overtightnen the two eccentric bolts. If Im mistaken please correct me, and add anything I've missed. Thanks for reading, RAAB.
 
#2 ·
You have the principles down. For more specifics (like torque values) refer to the service manual available in the link posted in my signature.
 
#3 ·
RAAB - I'm with you - I just tore into the axle bearings last week on the 03 that I got as a project bike. I have the service manual - but it doesnt cover changing the bearings, only removing the axle and re-installing.

I've done two other rear bearing changes, both on Yamaha's. The first change didn't last one ride - dealer had to bail me out! The second on my boy's Blaster was a success. In comparison, the Predator is a piece of cake!!

Some things I learned doing the Predator change:

1. IMO, hardest part of the whole deal is getting the clip out from under the axle nut. In my case the axle nut was wasted from previous owner - so i split it with a chisel, then took the axle clip off. May be worth the $15 the new axle nut costs if you're having troubles.
2. The axle nut is left-hand threaded - from reading all the posts, this seems to trip up a lot of people - not a big deal.
3. Work neat, and clean the carrier meticulously inside and out, the whole assembly needs to be seated, and fit together perfectly, if not you're asking for trouble.
4. Make sure you remove the bearing "races" and replace them too.
5. When installing the new races and seals, let them set in the freezer overnight. Heat the end of the carrier evenly with a torch, apply some anti-sieze comound to the carrier and drop the frozen race into place! Tap them all the way around to ensure they are seated properly - tap lightly (the one side of mine almost pushed in by hand - sweet - very little tapping). Do the same with the seals - if you have to tap - tap lightly.
6. I will pack the bearings with the seals in place, install the axle and fill the carrier through the zerk - this way I can still inspect the carrier easily if needed.
7. Make sure the splines are good on the axle, check the sprocket hub, brake hub and wheel hubs - if there's any movement you're in for a new axle and hub(s). In my case the sprocket hub moved on the axle - imo the only good solution is to replace both.
8. Put all axle components back together (new o-rings) and tighten axle nut to specified torque - and since you and I dont have a gigantic torque wrench, I'll do that one by feel, knowing that its just supposed to keep the axle from moving side to side.
9. Tighten chain as described in manual and other posts here and hope for the best!!

good luck with your bearing changes
 
#4 ·
Well I've got just about everything installed, but it doesnt seem to seat right, the brake disc hub does not make good contact inside the housing. Seems to be that something is taking up too much room in there or something??? Ill post a picture so you can see. This is a picture of the brake hub side with the axle nut tightened. You will see that the part of the hub where the seal is supposed to go around is not really inserting into the housing even when the axle nut is tightened. Any suggestions?
 
#5 ·
Are you sure your tighting the axle nut the right way. I think, to tighten the axle nut you need to turn it counter clock wise so it pushes on the round clip.
 
#6 ·
Yea, even tightning the nut so that it pushs on the clip doesnt help pull the axle through or push the brake disc hub into the housing. Taking a second glance i realized there is at least a 1/8 inch gap between the bearings and the seals on both sides. Seems like a lot of play, are the brake and sprocket hubs supposed to squeeze the bearings in? I feel like thats the case, so is it likely that it is just off-centered?, Im going to try to pound the races in a little deeper tomorow and see if that clears up any space. Thanks for the replies.
 
#9 ·
I just got my axle and sprocket shipped in yesterday - got a little hosed from CheapCycleParts.com, they didn't send the axle o-rings and I didn't find out until I got the packing slip - emailed them and hope they make it right or never again...

Anyhow, using the old o-rings everything went pretty much as planned and seemed to fit together nicely - hopefully get the rest of the rear end put on tonight and try it out!!

Where did you find AllBalls bearings for the preddy? does rockymountain have them?? I just got done putting AllBalls in my sons Blaster and its been great so far!
 
#10 ·
Has anyone had any trouble with the allballs seals not fitting right. When I did mine they would slid back out even after putting some epoxy on the edges. I just went to the dealer and got some OEM seals but I thought that was weird that they did that. And why do they give you two sets?
 
#11 ·
I just finished the install of my new axle and bearings the other night, so far, everything looks/rides good.

I've read in other posts about the seals sliding out - could be one or more of the following
1. axle nut not being adjusted properly (ie not tight enough allowing the axle to slide side to side a bit, and working the seals loose??)
2. poor fitting aftermarket seals, or not seating them in far enough - mine ended up almost flush with the carrier (the project bike im working on came with the oem seals).
3. Lack of grease at the seal.

Why do they give you two sets? - You have to watch, and get the right diagram for your particular bike. On the 03 I'm working on, the sprocket side seal is different from the brake (rotor) side seal. Sprocket side has one inside lip, the rotor side has 2 inside lips, I believe its like that to let the grease come out the sprocket-side when you grease the carrier.
 
#12 ·
preddychickn - I just went directly through All Balls and got the set for the predator (Allballsracing.com). Although you have set set up and account with them, they also give you your local All Balls dealers.

brian72 - The seals I got from All Balls did seem to sit deeper in the housing than the OEM's. Although when I blew the bearings recently it did some work to the inside and edges of the housing. Cleaned it up a little with the drummel and used a generous amount of grease on the inside of the housing and seals. They sit completely flush with the housing and seems to be holding up.

All Balls only sent me one set of single seals, and it makes sense now looking at the picture above, thats probably what I need to make sure theres no sand getting into that brake side seal. My axle housing must be packed with grease because I have not seen and expell yet, seems to be staying in there.
I have an 03, when you buy the kits on All Balls racing they give you 2 single seals when you tell them its an 03. When you tell them you have an 04 they will give you 4 seals, if Im not mistaken thats only difference with the years so it might be better to order for an 04 just to have the double seals in case you neem them.
 
#13 ·
Great forum guys! Dunno if this thread is still alive or not, but I just did the rear carrier bearings, all went pretty well, just have a small bit of play, now I did not pack my bearings and do not have the carrier packed with grease yet, it seems like a very small amount of play. Just wondering if there should be any at all? I may have to punch in the left race a bit farther not sure.

Regards, Preddy91
 
#14 ·
I have an 08 Predator Outlaw 525. It was well worn when I bought it and I soon found out that the rear bearings were shot. I have replaced the carrier bearings and seals but I do note a tiny bit of play on the sproket side. Brake side seal is flush with the carrier housing and stays in place. Sproket side leaked out grease when I loaded up the carrier from the zirks fitting. Sproket side seal not tight with the carrier. I can push it in 1/8 of inch with my finger and it will rotate in the carrier when turned by hand. Not sure what I did wrong. Any experience with that issue?
 
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