Reading up on the rear wheel swap before I do it (Clymer manual) and I came across a special Suzuki tool I'll need to press the wheel bearings in. It also gives a non-tool method which is basically tapping them in gently with a hammer (sounds dodgy to me).

Is there a simple way to make a press?

Seems from the tool illustration that I could use threaded rod in place of the axle and use wide washers on each end that squeeze the bearings in while I tighten nuts against washers.

Anyone done anything like this or is the tapping hammer method alright?

Thanks all.

Taping them in with a hammer will work just fine. DO NOT hit the inner race, only the outer rim of the bearing!!! If you happen to have a large enough socket to fit on the outer race that is the easiest way to drive it in evenly. The washers and threaded rod I don't think will work due to the force needed.

Just so you are aware, there are bearing removal/installation tools available from several different places that can be had for $30 or so, maybe less (haven't shoped around for prices lately).

yea using a socket of the right diameter is the best way

KNock it out with a drift punch... and knock it in with a socket of the right diameter (just smaller than the outer race)... but take out the seal on the bearing on the outer side before knocking it in else you will damage it.
Cool.
Srinath.

I use a 32mm socket with an extension to tap in the bearings. The extension prevents you from hitting the socket at an angle and damage the bearing. Small taps work the best. Also, put the bearings in the freezer over night. This will shrink the outer race so they will press in easier. Since the socket only touches the outer race, so I see no need to remove the seal. I would be concerned about damaging it while removing and reinstalling it. I have installed plenty of bearings and never had any problems.

Quote from: dgyverI would be concerned about damaging it while removing and reinstalling it. I have installed plenty of bearings and never had any problems.

I'm probably going to try reinstalling them...any words of wisdom on this?

I let the mechanic do it. Normally I do all the work on the bike myself, but I don't have the bearing tools, so I would have to use the old bearing or something else to drive it in. If you screw up, you can damage the wheel badly.

The original bearings were hard to remove, it really took some time before he had them out.  He also told me that the order in wich the bearings are installed is important. I don't know wich side should go first, but it was mentioned in the Suzuki workshopmanual.

In the end, it took him 20 minutes to do the bearing job because the old ones were really hard to get out. I only had to pay 5 euros (5,5 dollars) for the installation. That's a cheap insurance against a damaged wheel.

Personally I would spring for new bearings. While the wheel is out and the bearings are removed there isn't really a better time to replace them. They aren't terribly expensive if you get them from a bearing distributor instead of Suzuki.

yeah, i use a socket flipped over, and chill the bearings in freezer for awhile. sometimes i might wipe a thin filmofgrease just enough to wet the inside of the bearing bore.  always work on outer race, you can also use a fine sandpaper to clean any grime/corrosion from whereold bearing sat.

Ron ayers has the bearings for ~$15 each and my local mech (not the dealer) wants $45 to install them.

If you freeze them before installing them when do you grease them up? Before or after freezer?

I installed a bearing set without the shield removed... I smashed the shield and bent it to a poing it wont even fit... I believe the shiels is lightly thicker than the bearing race as it sits... so some of the socket impact transfered to the shield... and it being not made of hardened steel like the bearing race... decided to give up and die... I have installed other bearings and never removed the shield... but this time it destroyed the race.
Cool.
Srinath.

I would grease them before the freezer, but its doesn't matter much. Even room temp grease won't raise the temp of the bearing very quickly if you grease it up and then install it, but its less bothersome not to have an ice cold bearing in the palm of your hand.

dealer wants $16 each bearing and $33 to install.

do it yourself dude, you would kick yourself after for being scared of it. it sounds worse then it is. dont need hard smacks either, but if you want to Press them in,  use a large C-clamp, and goslow, make sure the bearing doesnt chicken over in the bore.