KTM Lower Heim Joint Shock Bearing Replacement & Check for "Slop"

[@Eddytak]

Finally someone who posts a video replacing a bearing that's actually worn and doesn't come out easily. Also like how you use everyday tools instead of all kinds of specials that nobody actually ownes or wants to buy.

[@NicolasPoirier]

Thanks! Best of luck swapping yours out

[@mt1885]

That is why race bikes are generally destroyed by people using a mini-sledge and flashlight working on them. 🚯

[@laytonreneer7846]

I'm going to mark my socket at the depth it's in before i knock out the bearing... Good vid man

[@NicolasPoirier]

Clever!

[@brendanredler3666]

Spend the $15 on a seal puller. One of the best tool buys I've made. I felt like an idiot for not having one for so long. Also get a deadblow hammer.

[@markh3478]

Nice . Did mine pretty much same way , Wrapped brake line loosely with aluminum foil to protect from heat and sprayed a little PB Blaster on both sides before whacking to help lube it . Heat is good.

[@ernieengineer3462]

Good video. Good technique for “garage” repair. Much better than most... Thanks for posting!

[@IIVIIATT2]

Thanks ! Helped a lot seeing it done with regular tools

[@carlosthejackal8674]

Spot on mate my bearing was a nightmare had a hole in so stuck this vid helped alot cheers

[@eds4947]

Really helpful video! Especially liked the fact you were using normal tools Cheers!

[@adrenalinejason5641]

Weel done video for the average bloke with shed tools 🤙

[@hardtorn]

Great video.. helped me out a ton. Just a note: Be careful if you have impact sockets. I had to drop to a 21mm for it to clear and pass through.

[@Leigh9920]

I find it easier to do with the swing arm off, you can also service the swing arm bearings at the same time 😉

[@ibartucz1057]

Thanks for posting! Very useful!

[@MarcBirks]

Just about to do my lower bearing next weekend, thanks for the vid man, really helped. Me understand the process, is the heating up necessary as I don't have a blow torch, would it take some doing to remove it cold.

[@NicolasPoirier]

Heating up the parent metal around the bearing isn't necessarily needed. You can most certainly do it without the use of heat.

[@Scott-kg1fd]

Great video! Love the commentary 😂

[@Littledaveyhonez]

Nice job! Very good video

[@4x4American]

This was helpful, thank you!

[@DMEIJER217]

Nice job bro! Thank you!

[@nexus7tablet610]

After removing a very tight lower bearing the new one is not a tight fit in the hole. Would a decent bearing locking compound work to hold the bearing?

[@NicolasPoirier]

This is pretty interesting. You would think that the bearing that you're replacing it with has the same outer diameter as the one that you pulled from the bike. As for your question I think you're right. I have had luck in the past using the green retaining compound made by Loctite because I had some sloppy wheel bearings. It seemed to work great. Hopefully something like that would work in this case to.

[@bobs9242]

Hi, I have similar spherical bearings with heim joints in the rear lower shock of my car. I'm noticing high pitch metal noise in the suspension during bumps. Do you think it's the heim joints just not being lubed? Have you noticed any metal noises using the grease instead of Teflon?

[@NicolasPoirier]

I really don't have a good answer for you. That's a tough one especially on a vehicle. It's not like you can just hang your head out the window and listen to see what's happening. My apologies, I really don't have much for you. Also, I greased mine but I don't think I put too many hours on the bike after I did that and I sold it. So I don't remember whether or not it made any noise.

[@bobs9242]

@@NicolasPoirier ok thanks

[@midlan6]

How long it was working after this change? I am curious if allballs + grease lasts longer than original KTM

[@NicolasPoirier]

I sold the bike shortly after doing this maintenance to a riding buddy. Therefore, sadly I don't have a great answer for you. He rode it more than I did and I THINK he didn't have to touch this bearing for a while.

[@midlan6]

@@NicolasPoirier thanks for your reply. I will see 🙂 I used allballs and greased it as you

[@wietseverstegen]

Thank you !

[@benwilsonMMA]

What could i do if the helm spacers won't come out? They're rusted on I believe and no matter how much I pound on them with a screwdriver they won't budge

[@NicolasPoirier]

PB blaster or equivalent and add heat to the equation

[@endureros3774]

Disculpa soy de mexico donde puedo conseguir ese buje o cojinete?

[@cappe_yt9182]

So i managed to get almost everything in on mine after alot of force :I but the spacers wont go in, i got on in by using a socket but the chain side wouldnt go in so carefully removed both and now i dont know how to get them in..

[@NicolasPoirier]

Hmmm, you shouldn't need a socket to insert the spacers

[@cappe_yt9182]

Nicolas Poirier yhee thats so weird.. i put them in the freezer for a hour or 2 and nope, gonna let them freeze over might and take a look tomorrow :/

[@only4dub]

Great m8 thanks a lot

[@icekluntt]

Any tips on the last step? The install will not fit with the extra space

[@NicolasPoirier]

Sorry, not sure what you're asking about? Are you referring to the seals? ...or the spacers being installed after the seals are in?

[@icekluntt]

@@NicolasPoirier after the complete install, where you say in the video that you can mount the shock and there is some air pushed out, does not work with me. There is still to much space so the shock will not fit over it...

[@NicolasPoirier]

@jt-id7rk From what i gather you're referring to the spacers with grease on them not seating all the way because the grease traps air. I would suggest having a buddy hold the spacers tight to the heim joint/aluminum swingarm while you guide the shock clevis over the spacers. Best of luck

[@icekluntt]

@@NicolasPoirier thanks for the reply!

[@andjelkocirkovic4388]

Since the Heim Joint is a pain in the ass, I have it replaced by plastic (polypropylene) cylinder five years ago, and there are no traces of use on it. It should be tight in housing and the hole must suit the bolt. That is all. No need for any grease, I don't care for water mud or any chemicals and it costs around 4 bucks.

[@NicolasPoirier]

That's a pretty creative solution

[@519scott8]

Thanks a lot sir!!

[@NicolasPoirier]

Glad I could help

[@enduroastur2493]

Tanks men

[@NicolasPoirier]

ENDURO ASTUR no worries. Thanks for watching!

[@mke7876]

👍🏻

[@dnrg62]

Good enough for government work lol they would have used a ruler .