Table of Contents
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IH: Suspension - Sub-03D
1957-1978 Swingarm Assembly and Installation
- For the swing arm its pretty easy when you know how it works. The pivot bolt when tightened presses the inner bearing and race,bearing spacer, and dust shield onto both sides of the frame and the actual adjustment is done by tightening bearing locknut on the right side till you have the desired preload once the preload is set then comes the lock-ring so the right bearing locknut cant turn. 1)
- When you install the locknut do not stake it as advised in the FSM. A little [not a lot] of blue locktite is all that it needs, and whoever needs to remove it one day will be thankful. 2)
- Factory recommendation from bulletin in 1972: 3)
- Reinstall rear fork (be sure the left side nut registers in the crankcase slot). Weigh with spring scale before tightening the right side bearing race nut.
- Tighten nut until you get 1-2 pounds of bearing preload. Install the bearing nut lock and screw.
Swingarm Assembly
Orientation of Parts
Guide to Swingarm Bearing Replacement
Article and Pics by ericfreeman of the XLFORUM 5)
Click on a pic to enlarge:
Here are all the parts laid out as they will fit into the swingarm 6) → | The bearing outer races are already installed in the swingarm 7) | Inspect the swingarm inner surfaces to ensure they are clean. You can see the bearing outer race already installed in the other side. 8) |
Use some 800 wet/dry sandpaper to smooth the surface 9)→ | Press the outer races into place using an appropriate tool.10) | Grease the tapered roller bearing. I used a very sticky marine grease that won't wash out. It's not for bearings that rotate at high speed like wheel bearings but will be fine for the swingarm that just oscillates through a small arc. 11) |
Install the bearing in the outer race12)→ | Pack the area around the bearing with more grease and fit the spacer on the bearing, with the smaller diameter section facing up so it will fit into the hole in the dust cover.13) | Install the dust seal, ensuring it fits flush with the swingarm boss. The flat side of the spacer should protrude a little through the dust seal hole. This spacer will seat against the frame when the bearing preload is set.14) |
Here's the outer view of the leftside assembly, with the pivot bolt nut and bearing locknut in place. I'll wait to lock the bearing locknut into place until I trial-fit the swingarm to ensure I can properly adjust the left bearing preload.15)→ | Repeat the procedure on the other side. Here's what it looks like with both bearings installed.16) | This is the entire setup assembled to keep all the parts together prior to fitting the swingarm in the frame.17) |
1)
OutlawTexan67 http://xlforum.net/forums/showthread.php?t=185355&page=2
3)
HD Service Bulletin #636 (included instruction sheet) dated April 2, 1972
4)
photo by OutlawTexan67 http://xlforum.net/forums/showthread.php?t=185355