Working on a friends 2001 sxr 700, pretty sure this bearing was never changed. Had a cheap 3 jaw gear puller on it with heat on collar and snow on shaft, pentrating oil and tight as we could get it with 2 combo wrenches put together for leverage, nothing bent the bolts that connect arms to body on puller. Found a puller in my drawer that has two arms that grab about an inch on each arm and has allen bolts that hold it together right up by the bearing 24" and 18" pipe wrenches tight as possible NOTHING! Finally cut a hole with paddle bit in the plastic (the same size as plugs for suspenion bolts) impact on puller and it fought the whole way but it worked. Plus now the sled is symetrical 2 holes on each side! Win Win.
01sxr700
VIP Member
Did you undo the little torx set screws on the back of the bearing?
Yep and kept them because $34 at the dealer doesnt get you bearings with set screws.
Backwoods M Max
New member
I would destroy the bearing cage, shift the bearings around so the outer race comes off then grind a notch in the inner race with a dremel or cut off wheel. Lay the bearing on something firm and give it a few raps in the groove it should split it then it will come off. The shaft will probably need to be cleaned up real good with steel wool or emery paper since these bearings are slip fit not press fit.
Im not following, would this technique require you to drill the rivets the bearing retainer and have the shaft out?
01sxr700
VIP Member
I think he's saying to remove the shaft from the sled. That entails removing the rivets on the bearing retainer.