For those with little or no mechanical knowledge,who want a walk through as to how to strip down,grease and rebuild the rear suspension pivots and swing arm bearings,on an XTZ with a centre stand,here it is.

Don't forget any money saved by doing it at home will buy beer.

You'll need 22mm,17mm,14mm,8mm sockets,a 19mm spanner along with a couple of 17mm spanners,a 12mm and an 8mm one.

Also a pair of pliers,a small screwdriver,clean rags,toothbrush,copious amounts of petrol and containers and both LM grease and copper grease.


First you'll need an XTZ......preferably washed...(I know,unlike mine..just back from Marseille and the Gorges de Verdon)

Mine is a 2008 model year with 18,000kms on it.....it has been ridden in the rain,the dry and even in Morocco.

It's done in two stages...taking off the swing arm and then taking off the suspension pivots.


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First step is to take off the swing arm.

Take off the rear wheel.....

Loosen off the rear axle nut with a 22mm socket.
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Stash axle in rear end can to keep it clean. Not a bad habit to get into if you ever have to take off your wheel whilst traveling.
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Roll the wheel out after looping chain over the rear sprocket and put it one side. Pay attention to the wheel spacers.
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Loosen off the 8mm bolt that holds on the rear brake line.
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Put the bolt back in so as not to misplace it
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Hook the brake caliper over the rear foot peg bracket to keep it out of the way.
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Take off the plastic clips from the flexible shock mud protector. Press the centre of the clip with a screwdriver so as to release each clip.
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Next loosen off the lower link bolt at the 'dog bones' suspension linkage,17mm spanners are needed.
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After pushing out the bolt this will disconnect the suspension from the swing arm;here you can see the 'dog bones' hanging down.
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Loosen off the swing arm nut with a 22mm socket.
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If the axle is stiff,screw the nut back out until flush with the end of the axle and tap it with a driver.This will protect the threads of the axle from getting flattened/damaged.
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This is the axle being tapped out.
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Note how dry and corroded it is.
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Wiggle the swing arm so as it will drop easily away from the engine.
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The chain can now be taken off the front sprocket,and the suspension parts are more exposed for easy removal.
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The original 'o'ring chain kit is still on the moto. See here how the chain is stretched according to how far it curves. My chain gets hard work here in the mountain twisties with lots of fast riding and accelerating.....well it is only a chain after all
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It's rolled up ready to be soaked in chain saw oil...the same as Scott oilers and the likes no doubt use.
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Part 2 of this article is here;

http://www.xt660.com/showthread.php?t=20736





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__________________
The Suit:What would you consider to be your greatest weakness?
Me: Honesty.
The Suit: Honesty? I don't think honesty could be construed as a weakness.
Me: I don't give a f**k what you think.

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