PDA

View Full Version : Ironhead Swingarm Bearings


Big_e78
10th September 2010, 08:46
I can't get the bearing lock nut nut (as it's called in the manual) off of my swingarm. I can turn the pin wrench about 180 degrees, then it stops. Does the whole thing unscrew like a bolt or does it just turn one direction (like it's unlocking) then I knock it out? I don't want to go pressing it out and screw up some threads. Here are the actual instructions in the manual regarding the nut "With a punch turn out bearing lock nut and remove pivot bolt nut". Thanks.

RcRacer
10th September 2010, 09:14
I had the same problem on my '81 when I rebuilt it. The shop manual recommends staking the edge of the lock nut after it is installed. This peens the threads and doesn't allow for it to be removed. There are several approaches. You can grind or drill the peens so that the disrupted part of the thread is removed or you can do what I did. I cut a pie shaped sections out of the locking ring with a dremel tool and cut off wheel. I then took it out in pieces. The trick is not to damage the swing arm threads. I "chased" ( cleaned up ) the threads with a dremel tool and a small cutoff wheel ( very carefully and with a lot of patience ) and installed a new lock nut ring from JP cycles. I bought the entire rebuild kit that included the bearings etc.

Big_e78
10th September 2010, 10:45
Good call. Never thought about cutting it like that... Hopefully I can just buy the nut.