Bicycle Mechanics - FSR Bearing Replacement

I have a bad bearing on the seat stay at the point where it bolts to the link which connects to the bottom of the shock. Somehow, the bearing seal dissappeared and the bearing got full of crud.

I can visualize several ways to remove the bearing with tools on-hand, but would appreciate advice from anyone who's done one.

Al

Go to the website and look for instructions. Most companies are good about that.

Best I can tell, Specialized instructions are "take it to your lbs". The area (100 miles away) Specialized dealer is not very good. I trust me more than them plus I do my own work.

I got the bearing out with a 12" c-clamp so I could do it with out taking the seat stay bar/limkage off the bike. Problem was that only the guts came out. The outer housing stayed stuck in the seat-stay holder. That's how bad shape the bearing was in, yet there was no play in the link, only a sqeeking sound which would not appear until I rode about 45 minutes. Couldn't trouble shoot at home. Had to do it on the trail.

I removed the seat-stay link from the bike then made a cut in the outer bearing housing with my dremmel. That allowed me to pry it out. The bearing on the other side felt rough. It came out in one piece. This time I used a vise to push it out.

All the other bearings (10 total in an FSR) were in good shape. It's ready to ride.

Al

I just love it when they fail completely and the outer race has to be "forced out" The one you had fail is the one that usually goes first.

You can usually tap them out with a punch and press them back in with a vice and correct size sockets.

The finish and the aluminum are ultra soft and the punch wasn't working well enough on the outer shell of the disintegrated bearing. It seemed too risky to keep trying the punch. I preferred to cut the outer shell and just peel it out with a sharp point of a wood scribe.

It's interesting that this bearing is the first to go. What are the typical symptoms? I assume they are different than what I had.

Al

The only thing I can figure is that these two bearings see more pivot motion than the others, and they are pretty small as well. It is pretty much like you said, You notice it squeeking, check it out and the balls are dust. I have seen several like this.