[Scooter_Maniac]

I'm replacing the inner needle bearings on my '09 400 clutch assembly. I don't remember how the old one came out. The manual says to install the bearing with the marked side out. It is not clear to me if that means, with the assembly off the bike and holding it so I am looking at where the bearing would go that the stamped surface would be facing me (but, clutch installed would be toward the bike) or, with the clutch assembly installed, with the stamped surface being toward the outside of the bike (but, toward the "inside" of the assembly I am looking at). The latter puts the bearing seal such that the needle rollers are protected from the environment so, I'm fairly certain the latter is correct but, would like to get it verified before installing it.

 

[Ralph M]

I've not done one but would think it means so that once pushed in you can see the numbers facing you.

 

[Duster]

The bearing seal needs to be toward the 'outside'.
That keeps all the lubrication in the area between the bearings.

 

[Scooter_Maniac]

A summation of the comments I have received:

…“your bearing will fit into a recess, bore or hole. When you fit it into this place the edge facing you should have the markings on it. This is irrespective of what you fit after wards or if the part is then fitted any other way.”

“I've not done one but would think it means so that once pushed in you can see the numbers facing you.”

“The bearing seal needs to be toward the 'outside'.
That keeps all the lubrication in the area between the bearings.”

(Paraphrasing a statement I recall from another thread I have not been able to relocate) Generally, on Japanese bikes anything installed toward the “outside” means toward the outside of the bike, irrespective of the orientation of an individual assembly.

I appreciate and understand the logic of the first two but, in this particular instance tend to agree more with the latter two. What I found pictorially in the manual also seems to be at odds. Here are extreme blowups of schematics in the repair manual, which would seem to reinforce the “seal out” theory:

[attachment=3:2bqx9nxn]CVT Needle Bearing.JPG[/attachment:2bqx9nxn] [attachment=2:2bqx9nxn]Needle & ball bearing schematic.jpg[/attachment:2bqx9nxn]

On the other hand, here are two pictures, also from the manual, somewhat showing the removal and installation of the bearing, in which it appears to me the non-sealed, stamped side is visible:

[attachment=1:2bqx9nxn]Bearing with puller.jpg[/attachment:2bqx9nxn] [attachment=0:2bqx9nxn]Needle bearing installed pic from manuel.jpg[/attachment:2bqx9nxn]

Speaking on the phone today to mechanics at two different New York Suzuki dealership (our local guys have VERY LITTLE Burgman experience so, I thought I’d talk to someone more likely to have worked on them), they both said the bearing should be installed so the seal would be on the side that would allow grease to the bearing and also protect the bearing from the environment of the inside of the CVT cover. We all have read/seen how dusty this area can be and I can’t believe the unsealed side of a bearing would be subjected to this. Considering all the input and my gut feeling, I’m going to put the bearing with the seal on the outside of the assembly, with the stamped surface facing toward the “outside” of the bike but, toward the “inside” of the clutch assembly. Wish me luck!

 

[v8eyedoc]

Are you referring to the bearing assembly that is pressed into the recess on the inside of the aluminum CVT cover???

 

[Scooter_Maniac]

Are you referring to the bearing assembly that is pressed into the recess on the inside of the aluminum CVT cover???

Nope. It's the one pressed into the fixed, driven pulley and the first thing the drive shaft passes through when installing the clutch assembly...

[attachment=0:t4ripo5f]Bearing and clutch assembly.jpg[/attachment:t4ripo5f]

 

[v8eyedoc]

Are you referring to the bearing assembly that is pressed into the recess on the inside of the aluminum CVT cover???

Nope. It's the one pressed into the fixed, driven pulley and the first thing the drive shaft passes through when installing the clutch assembly...

[attachment=0:34y0jqc7]Bearing and clutch assembly.jpg[/attachment:34y0jqc7]

Thanks for the explanation....... Now I know which one you are talking about.

 

[Badgator]

on my replacement i actually had the numbers facing in look at both side of the idle bearing and you can see a difference in the two...there is a small what looks to be a flap there .again mine went in with the lettering in 1st.that's how it came out of my burgie 400

 

[davej]

I'm replacing the inner needle bearings on my '09 400 clutch assembly. I don't remember how the old one came out. The manual says to install the bearing with the marked side out. It is not clear to me if that means, with the assembly off the bike and holding it so I am looking at where the bearing would go that the stamped surface would be facing me (but, clutch installed would be toward the bike) or, with the clutch assembly installed, with the stamped surface being toward the outside of the bike (but, toward the "inside" of the assembly I am looking at). The latter puts the bearing seal such that the needle rollers are protected from the environment so, I'm fairly certain the latter is correct but, would like to get it verified before installing it.

Why are you changing the bearing.....did you get any unusual noises from the clutch area, that told you it may be 'shot' ?

My 400 seems louder in the clutch area on tickover than it was, (after a 425 mls 75-80mph run), and I'm wondering if mine may be suspect too.

davej :?:

 

[Scooter_Maniac]

Why are you changing the bearing.....did you get any unusual noises from the clutch area, that told you it may be 'shot' ?

My 400 seems louder in the clutch area on tickover than it was, (after a 425 mls 75-80mph run), and I'm wondering if mine may be suspect too.

davej :?:

Yes. It makes noise pushing it or, with the CVT cover off if I spin the clutch with the tire stationary. Both made me suspect a bearing. The noise did not seem to be coming from dragging brakes or clutch shoes. I've replaced them all, and still have considerably more than our other 400 with nearly the same miles but, not as bad. for now I'm going to live with it and see if it turns out to really be something.