Drive Shaft Bearing question

My 06 Apex (I bought it new in 12/05) has only 1350 miles on it. I have worked weekends the last 3 years but not any more so I hope to ride double that this year. Anyway, back to my question. Should you replace this bearing based on miles or time? Am I ok with only 1350 miles even though its going on 3 years?

It is good insurance to replace that bearing every season as it it uisually the first one to go if you don't. For the $30 it cost for the new bearing, it is good piece of mind. If you dont want to replace it, you should at least pull it out and repack with grease at least once a season. That's my $.02 and Im stickin with it!! lol

--Steve (O.C.)

Is it a pain in the arse to get to? I have never had it apart before.

No. Not too bad. Maybew 15-20 minutes to get it off, if all goes smoothly. Take the drive belt off. Take off the secondary clutch (put on the E-brake and take off the 14mm mounting bolt for the secondary. Make sure to keep all the washers and spacers in order when you remove). Once you take the 14mm bolt out, the secondary will slide right off the shaft. Then the speedo housing is under the secondray. Take off the two 12mm nuts holding on the electronic speedo sensor, then take off the three other 12mm nuts for the speedo bearing housing (the round metal plate thing). Once you have the housing off, you will see one side of the bearing. To get the bearing out, you have to undo the two T-20 set screws which are on the inner collar of the bearing. You get to those from under the sled, on the tunnel side, by the track and drive cogs. Once you get the set screws loose, the bearing SHOULD be able to slide right off the shaft. Someitmes it will come right off, other times it is tough and needs some finessing..or what I call "persuasion". If the bearing does not come off easily or is locked on the drive shaft..that will be the toughest part.

Good luck!

--Steve (O.C.)

NY AttakGT said:

It is good insurance to replace that bearing every season as it it uisually the first one to go if you don't. For the $30 it cost for the new bearing, it is good piece of mind. If you dont want to replace it, you should at least pull it out and repack with grease at least once a season. That's my $.02 and Im stickin with it!! lol

--Steve (O.C.)

Click to expand...

X2...I second that I change mine every year no matter what and if your mechanicaly inclined its a piece of cake to change...

yep, just did mine & it was a relatively easy swap. I also repacked the jackshaft bearing, which can be done in place after carefully removing the dust cover. Might as well do that too once you have the secondary off.

I'm a visual learner, are there any posts with pics of this 15-20 min tear down?

its not necessarily the miles...it's time (age) and the elements that seem to affect this bearing....although miles will as well..
mine with 1400 miles was filled with rusty grease and felt roughAFTER cleaning and greasing...so it was replaced.
also...it's a good idea to use antiseize on the driveshaft when reinstalling and locktite red on the torx screws