Suspension Linkage bearing stuck

[Pflum]

I have a 1998 ec250 that very rarely gets ridden, its actually been a few years since I've ridden it. I've been keeping it at my dads house because my brother occasionally rides it. Anyway, he called me a few months ago saying the rear shock was locked up. I suspected the linkage bearings, and I was correct. I brought the bike to my house and tore it down.
When I got the linkage off, the bearings in the rocker arm that attaches to the frame fell out in a pile of rust and shards of metal. The needles did at least. The races are very stuck. I made a little press tool with all thread and sockets, no good. I tried to press out with a vice, no luck. I applied heat to the rocker, nothing. Against my better judgement, i started cutting out the outer bearing with a small chisel. Thought if i worked on it a little it would pop out, again, I was wrong. Got about half of it out, and chewed up the sleeve a little.
I've searched and read every thread on linkage, and from what I gathered you can press the bearings all the way through from either side, right?
Anyone looking for a parts bike?

[bkwdc]

Press out either side ... correct.

[cbutler]

If you haven't jacked up both sides of the race try this find a socket that fits inside the linkage perfect I don't remember what size. Heat the linkage put it on something solid anvil flat side of a vice then put the socket in and whack it with a hammer. I had the same problem with my 03 when I first got it and tried to press it out and broke the vice. I guess its the instant shock of the hammer blow.

[gasgasman]

I've had to remove a bearing that was frozen like that before.

I took a small flat head screw driver and tapped it in between the bearing shell and the link, basically prying it in and collapsing it.

[dANbOT]

Originally Posted by gasgasman

I've had to remove a bearing that was frozen like that before.

I took a small flat head screw driver and tapped it in between the bearing shell and the link, basically prying it in and collapsing it.

Same here, get something under the tin outer race and tap it through. Once it collapses a bit you should be able to get it out easily. Just clean up any gouges you left before installing a new bearing.

[Pflum]

Yep, thats what i was trying to do yesterday. Pieces just kept chipping off. I'm heading back out to work on it some more now. Another member PM'd me saying he has a spare he's willing to part with, so at least I know I have that to fall back on. Thanks guys.

[swazi_matt]

a trick i used to use on my honda (could not press bearing right the way through) was to use a welding rod and try to weld inside the outer bearing case (dont weld the bearing to anything in the process!!) and it should then drop out without any damage to anything

[Pflum]

Got them out. Took cbutler's advice and hammered the socket instead of pressing. Wasn't easy, but it eventually came out. Rocker arm doesn't look too bad, one side has a groove where it rubbed on a washer. Guess he rode it some after the bearing seized.
Tonight I'll pop the swing arm bearings out, put new bearings in, and start putting it back together. I have some o-rings to use instead of the provided seals, that seems like the way to go. Also got some jet lube moly per advice on another thread.