Swingarm bolt will not budge HELP!

[Bark3rd]

I've had 2 shops now try to remove the swingarm bolt, it will not budge. They have tried penetrant, heat, sockets, mallets, these are decent mechanics. We need to get the engine out to split the cases, but stuck at this.

Any ideas?

[Biff]

Originally Posted by Bark3rd

I've had 2 shops now try to remove the swingarm bolt, it will not budge. They have tried penetrant, heat, sockets, mallets, these are decent mechanics. We need to get the engine out to split the cases, but stuck at this.

Any ideas?

Bigger hammer!

Hindsight - take it out every so often and grease up.

Not the answer you were looking for I suppose

[Jakobi]

Persistance is key. Rig something up so you can get a good perch on the axle without mushrooming it. Remove the footpegs and lay the bike over and chock it up on some timber so each hit with the hammer isn't absorbed by frame movement. Then keep working at it with penetrating oil and the biggest hammer you own. Smack it a few times a day, and it should start moving after a few days of punishment. Once it initially starts moving its generally smooth sailing from there.

Once removed, keep it lubricated.

[GasGas]

Originally Posted by Jakobi

Persistance is key. Rig something up so you can get a good perch on the axle without mushrooming it. Remove the footpegs and lay the bike over and chock it up on some timber so each hit with the hammer isn't absorbed by frame movement. Then keep working at it with penetrating oil and the biggest hammer you own. Smack it a few times a day, and it should start moving after a few days of punishment. Once it initially starts moving its generally smooth sailing from there.

Once removed, keep it lubricated.

Good advise right there. The wood block trick is the key. Well that and grease it more often.

[Bark3rd]

Precious owner didn't lube it, thanks for the info.

[john r b]

How about laying the bike on it's side, heating the bolt then set a candle on for a few moments. The candle will melt and hopefully be your lube. You may also
try a air or electric hammer, but run the chance of mushrooming the bolt.if not carefull.

[Rick]

Originally Posted by Bark3rd

I've had 2 shops now try to remove the swingarm bolt, it will not budge. They have tried penetrant, heat, sockets, mallets, these are decent mechanics. We need to get the engine out to split the cases, but stuck at this.

Any ideas?

Yep.....try this before you breakout the heavy hitters! Make sure ALL the motor mount bolts are loose, even the head stay. What CAN happen is the other mounts can cause the motor to bind on the swingarm pivot shaft. If a groove develops on the shaft from the bushings, it may be enought to drive it past. By loosing up the other mounts, (1) in the front and the (2nd) under the transmission may be just enough to get the shaft to move.

When it comes out use a antiseize product on the pivot shaft where the shaft is inserted into the cases. The disimiliar metal causes it reaction in the metals and fuse them together.

Also a round wire brush, kinda like a bore brush for a rifle works good in cleaning out the bore in the cases of all corrosion to help keep it from reoccuring again.

Good luck!

[Rick]

Originally Posted by john r b

How about laying the bike on it's side, heating the bolt then set a candle on for a few moments. The candle will melt and hopefully be your lube. You may also
try a air or electric hammer, but run the chance of mushrooming the bolt.if not carefull.

Heating will expand the shaft, it needs to be smaller. It is buggered up either in the case? Or the 2 bushings? If it is the bushing, trying to heat the bushing without heating the shaft is going to be tricky. If it is fused in the case area, then a little heat with a heat gun might be just enough to do the trick.

I've never ran into this issue myself, I try to keep this area lube with antiseize and it seems to work for me.

[Rick]

One other thing....make sure # 9 & 12 are loose as well. They also can bind the swingarm bolt.

http://partsfinder.onlinemicrofiche....=0&d=-SWINGARM

[pscook]

There are two steel bushings in the cases that the swingarm bolt pass through. More than likely the bolt has rusted to these bushings. If possible, take the bike as far apart as possible, down to the frame, swinger, and engine. The steel bolt doesn't touch any aluminum in any location on these bikes, everything is steel-to-steel contact, which allows rust to propagate with reckless abandon.

Apply penetrating oil between the swinger and the engine cases. Heat won't work right here because you have to get the heat past a fair bit of aluminum, and the cases and swinger will just soak up the heat. You need to get the oil in this small spot and get the oil to wick between the parts. Some heat will work, just don't get too carried away as you will start to get diminishing returns (burning things up).

See about getting a rivet gun with an aluminum drive bar (punch) and have at it. The bolt was stuck on my bike (2011) and it took quite a while, with lots of swearing and beating, to get it out.

God luck.