Prolink Swingarm bearings

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Hi guys,

I would like to take my swing arm apart and inspect the bearings and seals and if needed replace them. There is no play what so ever in the swing arm but i figure after all these years i should be doing it.
What i'm concerned about is that i cannot find them anywhere for sale in the case that i may need them.
Does anyone one know where i could find them?

Thank you
Sasha

[steve murdoch icoa #5322]

Sasha from this thread it sounds like the Pro-link bearing search has been difficult.
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=7188

[Larry Zimmer]

Sasha, To the best of my knowledge and searching, the ball bearings (on the right side) are UNOBTANIUM. (Some odd-ball size that Honda appears to have made special.) The needle bearing on the left can be found. I believe it is a commonly available commercial item. If you 'need' to take things apart, I recommend that you don't disturb (read: remove) the bearings. [They don't like being pounded with hammer and punch!] Check them for smoothness. If they have any lube in them, they will likely be good to go. Grease them and slide things back together.

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That seems to be the only option but what do we do if they are ever needed in the future?
Which measurement is odd size, ID, OD, width? Perhaps we could find a machinist that could do something for us so that we can fit different size bearing.
It's seems like the same issue with the seals

[Larry Zimmer]

I'll see if I can find the bearing dimensions somewhere in my files, Sasha. Custom machining (modifying) may be an option with the right guy. More of a problem is likely to be the seals for all the prolink suspension joints. These would require someone to finance molds; even, single cavity things. And, then, find someone to do a small run. Not a 'pretty' thing. If I have any ideas, I'll let you (and all) know.

[EMS]

The dimensions are in this thread shown on a picture.
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=7188

They are 38mm OD, 16mm ID and 12mm width

[Larry Zimmer]

The dimensions are in this thread shown on a picture.
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=7188

They are 38mm OD, 16mm ID and 12mm width

Thanks, Mike. There are 17x40x12 sized bearings out there that might be 'adaptable'. Sleeving the ID should be easy enough. Grinding the OD a bit more challenge. I would think that 1mm off the OD thickness should be tolerable for the application.

[EMS]

Little confused, Larry, what you mean by 1mm OD thickness difference.

[Larry Zimmer]

Little confused, Larry, what you mean by 1mm OD thickness difference.

Where I was going, Mike, is that if someone should want to try to adapt the 17x40x12 bearing, they would need to grind 2mm (1mm radial) off the outer race OD. (Also, need to sleeve the inner race. No issue there.) By 'thickness". I was referring to the radial wall of the outer race; NOT the length of 12mm. Sorry if I was confusing.

[cross]

I'll see if I can find the bearing dimensions somewhere in my files, Sasha. Custom machining (modifying) may be an option with the right guy. More of a problem is likely to be the seals for all the prolink suspension joints. These would require someone to finance molds; even, single cavity things. And, then, find someone to do a small run. Not a 'pretty' thing. If I have any ideas, I'll let you (and all) know.

I found seal on ebay an bought it. The dust seal (24x38x8) for the left side i saw on allballs web site P/N "30-3806"
I contacted Nachi and they have told me that that bearing (their P/N 16BA04VDBCS) was last produced 19 years ago and that tooling/jig is no longer available but i'm waiting to hear back on the possibility to have them made again and in what quantity.

The bearing could be turned down as EMS mentioned but would prefer smaller OD bearing and make a sleeve for it

I'm still researching this and will keep this thread updated

Sasha

[EMS]

You are not the first one trying to revive that bearing. I hope you will be more successful than the ones before!

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I'm hoping to figure something out, there are options that's for sure.
Question, what type of bearing is this? Radial, deep groove? Is it for radial, thrust or axial loads?
As far as getting sleeves made for OD or ID, any preference there?
I found some radial/deep groove bearings 16mmID, 35mmOD, 11 & 12.7mm Width, in both open and sealed type.
So perhaps getting 1.5mm thick sleeve made and 2mm spacer for the width or cut down seal 1.4mm.
https://www.motionindustries.com/produc ... s&pageNo=1

Any input appreciated

Thanks
Sasha

[Larry Zimmer]

They are what is called angular thrust bearings. They do support both axial and radial load with contact at about 45 degrees -- plus or minus 5 -- depending upon the specific design need. Two are used because each bearing is designed to take axial load in one direction only so that they may be preloaded for a true zero axial and radial clearance at all conditions. Not a recommendation -- however, if it were me for me, I would sleeve the ID and 'shave' the OD of a near size angular contact bearings. I would not use deep groove bearings.

Having said all this, if the original bearings did not/do not have lash, and no corrosion, I should think they should be OK. If you do remove them, be certain to put force onto the outer race; not the inner. Same goes for installation.

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So the ones that I found are not the correct ones, I'll keep in looking

Thanks