Honda linkage bearings always wearing out

**cheese** · 2nd November 2013, 22:40

My linkage bearings are always wearing out really fast. The bottom one on the dogbone seems to be the worst. Is it a bearing quality issue or just a honda thing? I use an all balls kit last time. Better to get factory?

**kinger** · 3rd November 2013, 05:54

Aside from the price, pretty much always better mate.

**nzspokes** · 3rd November 2013, 06:14

It would seem a common thing on trail bikes. I have been thinking of the next time I do the KDX is fitting grease nipples so I can grease it after every ride.

Not sure if this would help but an idea.

**husaberg** · 3rd November 2013, 07:07

do you water-blast it?

**pete-blen** · 3rd November 2013, 07:18

Originally Posted by cheese

My linkage bearings are always wearing out really fast. The bottom one on the dogbone seems to be the worst. Is it a bearing quality issue or just a honda thing? I use an all balls kit last time. Better to get factory?

They are littke needle races... Of course they ware out...
think about it... whats the arm 6 / 7 to 1 ratio..
weight of the bike Plus your fat ass... so with that
ratio they carrying up to 1000 Kgs..If thats not a hard enough
life for them... You then go and ride it over bumps..

**noobi** · 3rd November 2013, 10:19

The bearings would last longer if the system that seals them actually worked, I can almost guarantee that its not the bearing wearing out from loading, but crap getting past the seals and fucking them up.
If you modified it to use o-rings instead of tiny lip seals, they will likely last longer.

The genuine Honda ones are likely no better than a Saeco, Nachi, SKF or 'insert other good bearing brand here' needle rollers. Unless they are specially machined, I would just use ones from a engineering shop. Probably cheaper too.

Ref: GasGas use o-rings on the linkage, and mine have never needed doing in the 4 years I've had them.

**nzspokes** · 3rd November 2013, 14:18

Originally Posted by noobi

The bearings would last longer if the system that seals them actually worked, I can almost guarantee that its not the bearing wearing out from loading, but crap getting past the seals and fucking them up.
If you modified it to use o-rings instead of tiny lip seals, they will likely last longer.

The genuine Honda ones are likely no better than a Saeco, Nachi, SKF or 'insert other good bearing brand here' needle rollers. Unless they are specially machined, I would just use ones from a engineering shop. Probably cheaper too.

Ref: GasGas use o-rings on the linkage, and mine have never needed doing in the 4 years I've had them.

Which is why I thought having grease ports in there so after each clean up would help keep them going.

**ktm84mxc** · 3rd November 2013, 19:00

Once moisture/dirt gets in they crap out quickly, it's best to keep the water blaster away from linkages and wheel bearings etc.
Most manufactures use out side suppliers for there bearings you just need the bearing codes to get the right sizes.
A mate destroys his YZF 450 steering head bearings in 8/9 mths , we don't know how he does it.

**takitimu** · 3rd November 2013, 20:48

Originally Posted by cheese

My linkage bearings are always wearing out really fast. The bottom one on the dogbone seems to be the worst. Is it a bearing quality issue or just a honda thing? I use an all balls kit last time. Better to get factory?

I think it's all balls, I got rear wheel bearings for my bike & they lasted a very short time ( months ), get the details of the bearing & seals, then go to an engineering shop & get something like SKF is my advice.

**barty5** · 4th November 2013, 03:15

I said it once ill say it again HONDA YAMAHA KAWASAKI KTM etc etc DON'T make bearings they all have them made for what ever they need. Go buy genuine you will find someone else'S name on them ive just done trans bearings on a 2008 YZ250F and they are all made by KOYO (not yamaha) so as Noobi says it will be the seals not the bearings you just need to strip and clean and grease more often. that being said the most of the bearings that manufacture have made are not available to the public unslees they are a common bearing hence companies like All balls approach the manufactures with the same spec bearing and place large orders and sell at a cheaper price. Fact is you buy genuine bearings in a fancy box and that is the extra you are paying for the box of course there will be time you will have no other choice manly with the oddball one that can be used in transmissions in some bikes (due to the low numbers sold companies like All Balls etc dont get into sell) these you will have to buy as genuine. other wise Wheel bearings, big/little ends, steering, shocks, should be fine after-market.