Rear shock main bearing
 

The main bearing or bush on the bottom of my rear shock has gone. There is a lot of play in it and my bike has only got 5k on it.

Is this a usual thing or am i unlucky?

Mike

The shock itself doesn't have a bearing or bush, it is going to be the needle roller bearing in the relay arm that's gone.

It is not unheard of for this to happen as Yamaha never greased them properly on assembly, but it maybe a bit premature at 5K miles?

I think it's the forward most bearing that has gone in the triangle thingy.

Before i got the bike it had doen 2.5k in 3 years and i wonder if this lack of use has not helped.

Are the bearings easy to get out or do they need to be pressed in and out?

Mike

I think that'll be the reason.

Fairly easy. Drift them out and then use the old bearing shell (or socket) to carefully drift the new ones back in. Its not ideal, a press is better if you can get hold of one, but you can easily make up a set of draw bolts using threaded rod, nuts washers and two lengths of steel tube the correct diameter (one slightly smaller and one slightly larger than the bearing).