G1 Outer Rear Axle Bearing Replacement
 

The whole outer rear axle bearing thing has been making me a little crazy these last few days. I've heard of welded spacers, welded bearings, welded sleeves on one side and not the other and other things as well. I also read that those bearings come with the axle and the whole thing comes as a unit. None of this made much sense to me. In the 70s I worked as a bike mechanic for both Yamaha and Honda, if there is one thing I know, its that those folks don't make things work they over engineer. That being said I'm going to offer up my opinion and also what worked for me. OPINION: If you have an axle with spot welds, spacers, welded bearings or anything like that it did not come from the factory that way. OPINION: All G1 axles are alike from the factory. If you look at the pictures you see 2 axles as they came from the factory, one with a new bearing! OPINION: There is no difference of any kind between driver and passenger side. Can you imagine a factory forman in Japan telling someone "If it doesn't fit just tac a little steel on there and move it along". Holy Sushi Tojo, his whole family would have had to flee the island!!!!!!
WHAT WORKED FOR ME: The original bearing was a KOYO 6205RS, I cross referenced and purchased an equivelent SKS bearing.1. The axle was then put in a bearing press with a slight amount of pressure on the axle and the bearing on a steel simple fixture. 2. Heat the retaining collar. No need to turn it red just heat it slowly and the pressure on the axle will do the work. You'll see it move or hear it "pop" 3. When it moves crank the press down and reomove the collar and bearing at the same time 4. Quench the hot collar and return it to room temp. 5. Reverse the process, install the bearing and then the collar. You may have to heat the collar to get it back on, use welders gloves.
Just my opinion and what worked for me.

Re: G1 Outer Rear Axle Bearing Replacement
 

Glad to hear that you got this worked out. Now lets move on and finish this cart! TWO MORE WEEKS BUDDY!!! BEER...CAMPFIRES...GOLFCARTS...OH MY!!!

Re: G1 Outer Rear Axle Bearing Replacement
 

Ok, so where was that opinion in early March when I was dealing with my conundrum? Just kiddin ' :wink:

But that is exacty why I posted up my unusal findings ... to see if anyone had any ideas on whether I had better be careful of any "jerry rigged" mechanicals on my cart. I figured there were folks with a lot more experience with G1s than I had ... like maybe 99% of BGW members.

Anyway, I agree with your rationale, and I think mine was done by a PO or a shop ... hmmm, Abie did you ever work in a shop where you could have ... oh, never mind.

Ogre

Re: G1 Outer Rear Axle Bearing Replacement
 

Experience is a great and wonderful thing, but sometimes experience collides with common sense. That is what happened here and I simply chose common sense and it worked out! Sorry I was too late to help.

Re: G1 Outer Rear Axle Bearing Replacement
 

AWESOME! Nice write up on this, and I hope the mods are watching. This is one issue that "has" to come up from time to time and here is no info here on this. STICKY?

:thumbup:

Re: G1 Outer Rear Axle Bearing Replacement
 

Re: G1 Outer Rear Axle Bearing Replacement
 

Great job abieex...Now get that cart done I'm dieing to see finished pics....:lhmo::lhmo::lhmo::thumbup:

Re: G1 Outer Rear Axle Bearing Replacement
 

Nice work man!! Glad it worked. :thumbup::thumbup:

Re: G1 Outer Rear Axle Bearing Replacement
 

I just finished removing both axles from my 1980 g1 and found both my spacers on the axles were welded and I am sure this cart has not been touched since built. I was thinking was there a recall on these axles as it is possible for these axles to come right out of the bearing. I didn't take the bearings of the axles yet but it looks like the plate with the four bolts only hold the bearing in place and if it weren't for the spacer being welded I am sure the axle could come right out through the bearing. I will take it all apart in the mourning but I am sure I am correct. Time will tell. lol. PICS OF MY AXLES.

Re: G1 Outer Rear Axle Bearing Replacement
 

Man, that is freaking weird! Why some welded, some not? You think recall...you might be right. Unless these just had a tendency to have "movement" issues and they just started welding them to avoid problems. That's just crazy though. Abieex's cart is an '84, so is mine. I should take mine apart and check it. Maybe its just on the early carts?