Lubing swingarm. What could possibly go wrong?

MikeG said:

Tried a heat gun...got the swingarm to pivot but the pin won't move.

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More time with the heat, an aluminum drift, and a hammer. Drive the pin out from the drive side - support the swingarm, not the cradle. If it was greased with the nipple, the grease is inside the pin with no way to get to the cradle. It's just stuck - it will come out. If it will pivot enough that you could submerge it in kerosene, gasoline, or even diesel it might soften. Really though I would (within reason) just hit it harder - I've had exactly the same issue - the cradle and swingarm are fine - needed new bushings and the pin (heavy rust).

Look at it this way - the cradle and swingarm are useless as is stands and will probably be valuable once the pin is out!

BTW, silly question: Have you removed the 1/4" UNF center screw that locks the pin to the cradle?

ASSUMING you have removed the bolt referred to in post #82, I agree with hitting it harder. As long as you use a soft drift - Aluminum, brass, (a wood dowel might work) etc - you won't hurt anything. Fight the tendency to use your 1/2" drive extension!

Yes, the b olt is out. I tried threading a bolt in the pin end with a jamb nut to see if the pin will turn, no joy. Next step is a long piece of threaded rod screwed into the pin, a piece of pipe that the pin will slide through, a large washer on the other end and a nut to try and extract it that way. If that won't do it I have a friend with a big enough press to get it into.

Mine had been greased and was frozen in a similar fashion. Whatever I tried, I could not get unstuck.

It took a very large press and some good heat to finally free it up.

I have offered this up before but for those not aware or familiar .......
The graphite impregnated bushings answer/solve a lot of swing arm care issues and headaches.
Wont leak or dry out nor require periodic maintenance with lubrication wicks or syringes or oil reservoirs.
And my rear tire remains free of any dripping or leaking oil.

/\ That's a tidy job Lineslinger.

Lineslinger said:

I have offered this up before but for those not aware or familiar .......
The graphite impregnated bushings answer/solve a lot of swing arm care issues and headaches.
Wont leak or dry out nor require periodic maintenance with lubrication wicks or syringes or oil reservoirs.
And my rear tire remains free of any dripping or leaking oil.


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What's the source for those?
Is graphite used for assembly? If not, what?

MichaelB said:

What's the source for those?
Is graphite used for assembly? If not, what?

Click to expand...

I use Ford Motorcraft Silicone Brake Grease to install the bushings...and a lot of other components for that matter.
The stuff is a bit pricey but damn near bullet proof.
I wiped a very thin film on the inner walls of the SA and the outer wall of the bushing. Just enough to assist pulling them into place without too much friction buildup. I also wipe the swing arm spindle with a light coating and around the seals and end caps as well. The lube is a great deterrent/repellant against moisture invasion.

Here is the link to the company where I found the graphite bushings. The link also provides installation instructions, nothing fancy...hope this helps.