03 250sx swingarm bearing nightmare

[benspilk09]

First post here, I searched but couldn't find an issue similar to mine.

I just bought a 2003 250sx very cheap, I noticed the swingarm bearings were a little loose during the test ride so I tore into them the next day. When I got it apart they were a mess, the chain side had no needles left and was working its way through the outer races, one little spot they were clear through. Since they were practically welded to the swingarm it was very difficult to get them out, somehow I managed it though and got my new bearings pressed in.

The outer bearing on the chain side didn't fit as tight as I would like, it goes in by hand with small resistance. I put some loctite press fit repair on it and it is not loose in the housing, but I still have slack in my swingarm. The bushings appear to be moving in the frame instead of being pinched by the frame and held tight.

I guess my question is, are the bushings supposed to be clamped by the frame and that supports the weight? Or is the bolt what holds them, because my bolt has considerable wear on it, not sure if I need a new one or not at this point. I have tried shims in different places, between the engine case and bushings, between the frame and bushings, that tightens it up for a bit but after riding for a few minutes the slop comes right back.

[benspilk09]

I have an update, I stacked over a half inch of washers under the swingarm nut today and it tightened it up, I don't know if my bolt is stretched/wrong ete. but that fixed it for a while, went for another ride and it was a little loose but I tightened it up more and it was tight again, do I have defective bearings or something? Could the bushings in the bearings be the wrong width?

[bajadog]

My '03 450 EXC had a very similar issue.

I bought it new, and in 4 years never lube the swing arm bearings.

Decided to sell it, and went to lube the bearings.

All dry and full of rust powder.

The bolt had actually started elongating the swing arm hole.

My fix was finding a used swing arm on ebay for $160.

Not sure if this is what you want to hear, but I would not risk
getting hurt on a bike with some much slop in that swing arm.