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Loose rear sprocket and hub ring - need advice

15K views 31 replies 17 participants last post by  greywolf 
#1 · (Edited)
I was cleaning the rear sprocket and wiping it off with a hand towel (yeah I know) and noticed that it was loose. The whole assembly is able to move around a fair amount. I'm talking about the hub that the rear sprocket is screwed onto, and it itself gets pushed into the rear wheel, and everything is lined up with the axle and tightened. Well, that is loose to the point I can grab it and move it about 1/4 inch back-and-forth with a side-to-side motion. I wouldn't think this is good for the chain alignment and/or chain wear.

Is this hub supposed to be loose like this? I would say no. I've never noticed it previously.
 
#2 ·
There are five rubber cushions, #6 is one pictured. When they wear from rubbing, the sprocket carrier gets loose on the hub. They can be replaced or shimmed with aluminum or rubber sheets.

 
#4 · (Edited)
The commercial number for the sprocket carrier bearing is 62/32-2RS. Ask a local bearing shop for one and they will know what you need. The dimensions are 32x65x17mm.

Too bad you don't live closer. I have two sitting right in front of me, but shipping to Ohio would cost what you'd pay locally.
 
#5 ·
#6 · (Edited)
Thanks fella's for the info. I watched Barry's video and used it to tackle the job of checking my cushion rubber thingys. I had nothing to do so I figured I would take everything apart and take a look-see.

I took 4 of the 5 rubber cushions out and cleaned them and used a soft wire brush to clean all the parts. The one remaining cush would not come out and seemed like it was ready to break apart at the nipple, so I left it alone. Anyways, I cleaned everything up nicely and put it all back together, just like the video Black Lab has on his excellent website.

The wiggle is now gone. Completely. I even did a 131 mile commute today and still no wiggle whatsoever. It is important to mention there was a trace amount of grease :confused: in-and-around the cushion and ear hub area, where they meet up together. This might have helped produce the wiggle, maybe not. Another thing, although I am not certain, I think I might have had the axle spacer (#8 from the diagram) seated backwards. I can't know for sure, but I think it was installed incorrectly by me from my last tire change. This axle spacer CAN be put into the hub using either end... but I don't know if this would produce the wiggle I experienced or not, or even if I had it installed wrong to begin with.

The hub wiggle is gone, at least for now. It might come back tomorrow, maybe not. If so, I know what to do thanks to this website and to Barry's video help. Thanks :thumbup:

P.S. Barry, your photo shows the chain tensioner allen screw being at the top of the swing arm cap, but my 09 has it on the bottom. They are interchangeable by simply moving them across swing arms and rotating them 180 degrees. Just saying...
 
#7 ·
If #8 was in backwards for long, it can damage the wheel bearing it contacts. The wider end needs to be on the sprocket side. Otherwise, the rear axle nut torque is pushing #8 against the bearing balls, not just the bearing inner race and spacers.
 
#8 ·
When it starts wiggling, just go buy a new set of rubber blocks for the hub. Yours will start wiggling again soon. After a couple of sets of blocks, or when you replace sprockets, also replace the carrier bearing as it will be worn.
 
#9 ·
I also had the spacer in backwards for a while. Between that and the worn rubbers it toasted the chain and sprockets. Got the spacer turned around, shimmed the cushions with strips of old inner tube, and everything is kosher again!
 
#10 ·
I had the same issue with the spacer being installed backwards. When I had new Battle Wing tires installed the service manager told me of the problem and said that I should replace the cushions the next time I replaced the sprocket/chain.

I am presently riding from Mesa, AZ to my home in Port Orchard, WA. Prior to departing Mesa I serviced the chain and noted a bit of free play at the hub. I am presently laying over in Sacramento with family and will give the chain a good cleaning and lubing tomorrow. The Vee is going up on the table lift upon my return for a general clean up and service, to include replacing the cushions.

And BTW, the last few days I have been riding in horrific wind conditions in Arizona and California. I've ridden in severe wind conditions before but never anything like this in over 40 years. The Vee and me are getting blown around quite a bit but she just keeps purring right along. For awhile I tried to steer back into the lane but I learned that counter steering is the best technique to regain lane position when getting pushed off the road. I'm glad I put the 43 tooth sprocket on because it really helps with the power band in plowing through. What a bike!
 
#11 ·
Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but worn cush drive rubbers won't result in lateral or radial play in the sprocket carrier. The cush drive only affects rotational play between the wheel and sprocket carrier. Any slop in the sprocket/carrier other than in the rotational axis suggests that something is wrong with the bearings, the assembly (like having the spacer #8 backwards), or the carrier itself (some part worn).
 
#13 ·
I think you might be right. I believe I had my axle spacer in backwards (#8 pictured) but I am not 100 percent percent. I think this would have a much greater chance of producing the lateral hub movement verses the cush rubbers being bad... which I don't think they were, they seemed fine. Again, I can't be sure I had the axle spacer in the wrong way (but I think I did) so cleaning the five rubber cushs is the only REAL tangible reason I can point to for having shimmed up the hub for me. So, basically, I can't, you know... say anything for sure.
 
#12 ·
There is involvement in firming up the connection. One of the benefits in the somewhat popular modification to move the sprocket carrier 2mm closer to the wheel on Vees is to help prevent rocking. Cush rubber wear will also result in an increased wear rate on the sprocket carrier bearing.
 
#14 ·
Carrier Bearing

I had the carrier bearing get sloppy and under acceleration, the rear sprocket would twist out of alignment and it caused the chain to break and messed up my clutch mountings when the chain jammed up on the front sprocket. Not a pretty sight or good situation.

Good Luck
 
#15 ·
I've put about 9k on my '06 Wee, I was checking it over it a couple weeks ago and noticed a ton of slop in the rear sprocket hub. I mistakenly assumed i needed new bumpers but when I took the back wheel apart i noticed damage to the spacers. The larger outside spacer is all chewed up and the inner space that fits into the carrier bearing has a worn ring around the beveled side. The P.O. put it in backwards before he mounted the last set of tires. I replaced all the bearings since the carrier bearing had to have been put through hell and the one of the other ones felt a tad scratchy. I suppose 25 thousand is an easy number to remember. Anyway, I went in to my local Suzuki dealer and they ordered the spacer and seals- great guys and I like to give them the business. The part didn't show up, they said their supplier had to order it from the manufacturer and it won't be there for about a month. He did a nation-wide search for this spacer and found ONE....In Moose Jaw Saskatchewan. He gave me their number and I called but it was a pain for them to mail it and didn't really want to hassle with it. I looked everywhere online, websites would say they had it but I would call and they would admit that No, they would have to order it from Suzuki. Anyway I called Mercury Service back and I agreed to pay them to fill out the paperwork to get my spacer across the border. So, 57 CAD later my part should be making its way to Ohio. Why do so many people put that spacer in backwards???? its not like they look alike. there is obviously a right and a wrong way to install it.
 
#18 ·
It will fit. I did it once. The small end normally abuts against the wheel bearing inner race and the large end fits snugly inside the sprocket carrier bearing. Turn it around and the large end puts pressure on the wheel bearing grease seal while the small end allows the sprocket carrier bearing to wobble, but it does fit.
 
#19 ·
I have a question for the group. I have play but it is not rotational play. Or lateral play it is best described as rocking back and forth out of alignment. Possibly bearing # 16? Any input appreciated. Ive wrenched on a lot of cars but no motorcycles. It looks like easy enough. Just not sure how to take chain apart.
 
#20 ·
The rear wheel comes off with the chain intact.
 
#21 ·
Thanks for all the tips and part #s. I added inner tube to the cush rubbers and changed sprocket carrier bearing. Shifting and on off throttle transitions are greatly improved.
 
#22 ·
I have a rear hub knock when accelerating from static. new bearings x3, chain and both sprockets are getting replaced this weekend ( 22k miles on them) 42k miles on the bike total2007 wee.
Im going to temp fix the cushions with rubber shims, can anyone explain (with clearity and accuracy) where the shims go?
With the hub off, lying on the bench, cushions exposed ( facing up), where does the shim go?

1. beside the cushion in the direction of rotation ( radial)
2. under the cushion, lift out cushion install shim place cushion on top of shim, (axial)
3. both sides of cushion in direction of rotation (radial)

thanks.

Hose.
Canada, British Columbia ( the wet coast)
2007, 650 DL abs
42,000 miles
 
#23 ·
1 is the usual fix though some people like 2 also.
 
#24 ·
Hi again, sorry forgot to ask in my comment above,
If you instal the shims beside the cushion (radial)
are you installing the rubber shim between the cushion and the sprocket carrier or,
between the cushion and the hub?.

Hose.
 
#25 ·
In case #1, the shim fills the space between the worn cushion and the lug on the sprocket carrier. You are, in effect, making the cushion wider to make up for material that has worn off. It is probably easiest the rubber cement the shim to one side of each rubber cushion. Of course, make sure to use the same side of each cushion.
 
#26 ·
finally, crystal clear. thanks tons

H.
 
#28 ·
Yup the sprocket bearing "carrier bearing" gets the most abuse, mine was totally trashed at 21k but the wheel bearings were fine. I went ahead and did them all, but the 2 wheel bearings had plenty of life left.
 
#30 ·
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