2011 12K Mile Rear Bearing Service help

[mjfields_228]

Greetings fellow S3 owners.

I was attempting to perform my 12000 mile 'inspect, clean and lube' of my rear bearing/hub and got to the point of removing the rear axle and was stopped there.

I followed the steps in the service manual;

Removed rear tire
Removed Rear Brake Caliper
Loosened Chain Slack
Remove 46mm Axle Nut
Supported the chain/sprocket
Attempted to pull the axle to the right--no joy.

It feels hung up. I gave it some gentle taps with a rubber mallet and it does not want to come out of the hub.

Am I missing a step? Should I pull the sprocket assy first and set aside like some of the photos I have seen on various forums?

Just looking for some advice.

Thanks

[Speed3]

Here you go http://www.bowl-of-mice.co.uk/S3_Hub.html

[mjfields_228]

Originally Posted by Speed3

Here you go http://www.bowl-of-mice.co.uk/S3_Hub.html

That's the post I am using and the part about "sliding" the axle out is where I am hung up--so to speak.

I have tried pulling, and gently tapping with a rubber mallet with no success. It is as if the spindle is tightly seated in the groves and does not want to come out. I do not want to whack it hard because I have no idea what kind of loads I would be putting to the hub assembly.

On the 2011 is there a secondary locking feature holding the MF'ing axle in the hub that I am missing?

[mjfields_228]

Here is where I am at. The Axle will not slide out! There is nothing holding it other than the internal hub inners. I think!

[Speed3]

It looks like it is ready to pull right out... Weird. Have you tried a rubber hammer? Maybe rotating the eccentric would free it up. Wild guess.

[mjfields_228]

Originally Posted by Speed3

It looks like it is ready to pull right out... Weird. Have you tried a rubber hammer? Maybe rotating the eccentric would free it up. Wild guess.

I tried rolling the eccentric back and forth. Tried a rubber mallet at various points of the eccentric pivot position. It is snagged on something inside. I can rock the axle up and down fractions of an inch but it does not seem to want to rock forward and back?!?!

When I spin it, it sounds perfectly healthy and there is no areas of higher resistance as I spin it.

I even gave it a tap from the brake rotor side to see if would free up the snag by backing it off.

I could put some real effort into the rubber mallet approach but that seems wrong to me to me. Like I am smacking the sealed bearings into the concentric snap ring or something.

I am officially bumming out because this should be a snap to do and it is beginning to look as if something is phucked up in there.

[mjfields_228]

Got the MF'ing thing out finally. After looking at the exploded view of the ECCENTRIC assembly I came to the conclusion that the axle was stuck inside the ball bearing assembly inner ring.

I used a rubber mallet (again) and kept hitting the axle squarely and it slowly started to work its way out. Once it shifted about 1/4 inch it let loose and slide right out.

Once I clean it all up it appears to me that the ball bearing assembly got hot because there was some discoloration on the axle and the inner diameter of the bearing ring.

Guess that bastard will be the first to go at some point.

I will just plan on swapping out the bearings at 24000 miles give or take.

It's nice to be rolling on the triple again

[Speed3]

I seriously would replace the bearings now!!! Which part of the axle is discolored? The Cush Drive bearing on mine was shot, and the left end of the axle was blue from heat. I didn't even realize there was a bearing in the cush drive! There have been reports of rear wheels locking up from hub bearings seizing... No joke, replace that bearing or bearings asap!! I've replaced all the bearings in my rear hub/cush drive, and also in the swingarm, in the last few thousand miles, to be on the safe side. Bike now has 43,000 miles.

[mjfields_228]

The part that got "warm" was the ball bearing interface right next to the splines for the CUSH Drive. Now looking at this picture it looks as if the CUSH Bearing may have gotten warmish too!

I have only had the bike for 9 months. For bearings to go off that badly--even with 15000 miles (which I am presently at)--is discouraging.

[Speed3]

Yep, the cush bearing is shot. They are pretty easy to replace. Don't remember the exact size, but I can look it up tomorrow. I had to spend a lot of time with Emory cloth to get rid of the bluing. A new axle isn't cheap!