Drive Axle Bearing

W

Woodydog

New member
Joined
Feb 19, 2004
Messages
67
Age
61
Location
Verona, WI
We have to replace the drive axle bearing on the speedo side of an 02 Viper. Was wondering if we just loosened the track all the way and maybe just dropped the back of the suspension if we could do it without messing with the chaincase, removing the skid etc... Has anyone ever done it this way? I do have a bearing puller so I was thinking that if I just relieved tension on the axle if we could pry it out, slide the new one on, remount suspension and tighten up the track etc.... I know there are set screws behind the bearing to loosen also. Just looking to see if there is a "quicker" easier way to do this?
Thanks, md
 
Yes

Sure you can do it that way if the bearing comes off easily which they usually dont. You might get lucky!

Madmatt
 
just dont forget to losen the set screws ....and spray with something to break up the rust ......good luck ....
 
I do this with all 3 of my sleds every year, sometimes in mid-season as well. I take the speedo side bearing out, pop off the seal, and relube the bearing. I loosen the track all the way, back the adjusters off completely. I remove the set screws on the bearing locking collar, spray it with a good penetrating oil and let it wait, let the oil do its job. I then take the bolts out of the bearing retainer plates to allow the bearing to come out into the engine compartment. I took a piece of square brass rod, 1/2" x 1/2", about 10" long and shaped one end into a wedge shape. I put the wedge shaped end between the locking collar and the collar on the drive sprocket. A few taps with a hammer on the brass wedge pushes the speedo bearing out. Even though the track tension is loose, the weight of the track hanging is enough to pull the bearing tight agaist the shaft and housing. A helper can put forward pressure on the drive axle to take pressure off of the bearing. Once the bearing is out, polish up the shaft with some emory cloth and apply some anti-sieze lubricant on the shaft before installing the new bearing. The anti-sieze will make a big difference the next time you want to remove the bearing. This bearing has a tough life since even though it is a sealed bearing, the seals cannot block all the water thrown at this bearing. It fails due to wash out of the grease and rust which then forms on the races and balls. If you lube this bearing periodically, it will last a lot longer. I had one of these bearings fail on a 10 day touring trip in Quebec while i was 800 miles from my truck! Since then, I am a fanatic about checking that bearing.
 
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