Suspension Bearings, Bushings & Seals
About Suspension Bearings, Bushings & Seals
The bearings and bushings in a suspension are the pivots where the forks, swingarm, linkage and shocks move, and the seals keep dirt out and oil in. Riders shop here when a bike develops clunks, play or a sloppy feel, or when they are servicing the suspension and want to replace the wear parts at the same time.
Choose by location. Fork seal and bushing kits and inner fork bushings serve the front end. Steering stem bearing and seal kits serve the headstock. Swingarm bearing kits, pivot pin bushings and linkage rebuild kits serve the rear, and eyelet bushings fit the ends of shocks. These are listed by make, model and years, and by size, such as a 47 mm fork bushing, so match them to your bike. Replace pivot parts as sets, grease the new bearings with a waterproof grease as the manual describes, and tighten the hardware to the specified torque. Worn pivots let parts move more than intended, which shows up as clunks and vague handling.
Brands listed here include HardDrive, SDI, Drag Specialties, PROX and SKF. Pick your bike in the Ride Finder at the top of the page. For related parts, see Steering Bearings, Swingarms, Shocks & Coil Overs and Fork Suspension & Parts, all part of Suspension & Handling.
FAQs on motorcycle suspension bearings, bushings and seals
How can I tell if swingarm or linkage bearings are worn?
Support the bike so the rear wheel is off the ground and rock the wheel side to side, feeling for play at the swingarm pivot. Check the linkage for notchy movement, and listen for clunks or squeaks. Compare your findings with the manual's limits.
Should I replace bushings and seals together?
Usually yes. On a fork, the seals and bushings wear together and are often sold as a kit. Replacing them as a set means you do not have to open the suspension again soon after.
Why are bearing and bushing kits listed by model?
Sizes, number of parts and designs differ between motorcycles, so a kit is made for particular models and years. A part that is close in size may not seat or seal correctly. Check the listing against your bike.
What grease should I use on suspension bearings?
Use the grease type that your service manual or the bearing maker names, usually a water-resistant bearing grease. Pack the bearings and seals well, and re-grease at the interval given in the manual, more often after wet or dusty riding.
Can worn bushings affect how my motorcycle handles?
Yes. Worn pivots let parts move more than they should, which can feel like clunks, a loose or vague front or rear end, or uneven handling. Replacing the worn parts usually restores a tighter feel.
