easier way to change lower driveshaft bearing

[rx1 man 04]

after owning several Yamaha sleds I have found an easier way to change the lower driveshaft bearing

step 1

1)loosen rear idler bolts on skid
2) loosen track bolts
3) remove secondary clutch
4) take a dremmel or air grinder and grind off two rivets that hold bracket in place and drill out old rivets
5) take a punch an push in old bearing to expose shaft, remove other nuts on bracket
6) take 800 grit sandpaper and sand driveshaft axle
7) oil shaft with some sort of release all
8) slide off old bearing
9) install new bearing (coat with anti-seize)
10) install new set screws on new bearing
11) reposition bracket in tunnel
12) drill out hole where rivets used to be
13) install new stainless 1/4 bolts with nyloc washer bolt should be about 1 1/2 inches
14) install other nuts on original bracket
15) re-install secondary clutch
16) tighten track
17) tighten rear track bolt and nut

works great, saves a ton of time, and bearing will be easier to change in the future.

 

[JERSEYJOE]

after owning several Yamaha sleds I have found an easier way to change the lower driveshaft bearing

step 1

1)loosen rear idler bolts on skid
2) loosen track bolts
3) remove secondary clutch
4) take a dremmel or air grinder and grind off two rivets that hold bracket in place and drill out old rivets
5) take a punch an push in old bearing to expose shaft, remove other nuts on bracket
6) take 800 grit sandpaper and sand driveshaft axle
7) oil shaft with some sort of release all
8) slide off old bearing
9) install new bearing (coat with anti-seize)
10) install new set screws on new bearing
11) reposition bracket in tunnel
12) drill out hole where rivets used to be
13) install new stainless 1/4 bolts with nyloc washer bolt should be about 1 1/2 inches
14) install other nuts on original bracket
15) re-install secondary clutch
16) tighten track
17) tighten rear track bolt and nut

works great, saves a ton of time, and bearing will be easier to change in the future.

 

[JERSEYJOE]

I DO THIS ALL THE TIME ON MY APEX, SRX AND VIPER. WHAT RIVETS ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT? I HAVE NOT HAD TO DRILL ANYTHING. I JUST REMOVE THE 4 12 MM NUTS THAT HOLD THE RETAINER ON , THEM THE 2 SET SCREWS UNDER NEATH AND THE BEARING COMES OUT WITH A BIT OF COAXING.. WHAT RIVETS????

 

[rx1 man 04]

their are two rivets on the bearing bracket that hold it to the tunnel. if your bearing comes out easily you can leave them in place. If your bearing is seized on the drive axle and wont come off, then you drill out the two rivets that hold it to the tunnel. I usually find the bearing is rusted on to the drive axle and wont budge. drilling out the two rivets allows you to move the bearing in slightly so you can sand the shaft with wet sand paper 800 grit. then the bearing slips off easily.

 

[JERSEYJOE]

I understand. I guess I have been lucky! I change mine every year regardless. for 18.00 its cheap insurance.

 

[rx1 man 04]

I just changed my driveshaft bearing on my 2012 apex xtx and it was seized. drilling out the rivets on the bracket did the trick. also if the set screws that hold the bracket on the shaft have nicked or made an impression on the shaft, I find the bearing is very difficult to remove. Changing the bearing every year is the way to go, I usually run them two seasons without replacing them.