Powder Coating Front End: Do I need remove bushings?

[uofm]

I am going to get my front a arms and spindles powder coated. Do i have to remove the bushings, and if i do what is the proper way to remove them?

 

[lucky_7]

Hmmmm...PM Skyboz...he may know

 

[Nikolai]

Remove all the bushings, ball joints, and upper rod ends. You will probably also have to file the powder down in the spindle where the ball joint slides in.

 

[sheetwright]

I actually left mine in. The get very brittle and hard in the baking prcocess. It is easier to knock them out then, Unless you allready have the good Ulmer after market ones in now? The stock ones are pressed in now, and might even break and chip on you when taking them out. The new ones are pretty cheap. By the way put a little of the lube in there with them. Also it's up to you, but if you are taking off your ball joints, you may want to shave them down 2mm anyhow IMO of course. Good luck, it looks cool to give them a new look.

 

[uofm]

This is a new XTX so the ball joints should be good. How or what is the easiest and safest way to knock the bushings out?

 

[Nikolai]

I used a small slide hammer for pulling bushings works good.

 

[sheetwright]

This is a new XTX so the ball joints should be good. How or what is the easiest and safest way to knock the bushings out?

You could use a small diameter piece of aluminum or wood. SLightly smaller then the ID diameter of the bushings. You slide it in the inside till you are touching the other bushing. Then give the wood/aluminum a tap with a small hammer. Move it from side to side. That way you limit the pressure and posible damage to the bushing. You will probably will want your a-arms in a vice while doing this. Wrap them with a rag first. This will eliminate the scratches from the vice teath. A little lube won't hurt either. since you will re-lube them when you put them back. Yamaha has a grease that the tech's use for these. You can get it at the dealer. When you reinstall them a rubber mallet would be nice. Good luck