How to Change Yamaha Grizzly Front Wheel Bearings
The punishment the front wheel bearings on a Yamaha Grizzly 700 are subjected to means they need frequent replacing.
If you regularly push your Grizzly anywhere near its limit, this is a job you might want to learn how to do yourself.
We're working with a 2007 Yamaha Grizzly YFM700 in this guide, but the steps are very similar for most models and brands of ATV and UTV. Before you start, familiarize yourself with this exploded parts diagram that shows how the front knuckle and wheel bearing on a YFM700 fit together.
Tools and Parts Needed: Yamaha YFM700 Front Wheel Bearing Change
Tools
- Torque wrench
- 3/8th ratchet
- 12mm, 17mm, 19mm and 27mm sockets
- 14mm wrench
- Pliers
- Circlip pliers
- Impact driver
- Hammers
- Receiver cup
Parts
- Wheel bearing
- Circlip
- Axle nut
- Race grease
Changing Yamaha Grizzly Front Wheel Bearings
Step 1. Remove the cover from the axle nut, and take the nut itself off the axle. Use a punch to relieve where the axle nut is bent against the axle to secure it.
Step 2. Remove the two caliper bolts, and take the brake caliper off the steering knuckle assembly. Rest the caliper somewhere out of the way, and secure it in place with a cable tie if necessary. With the caliper off, the hub and brake disc assembly can also be removed.
Step 3. Remove the cotter pin and retaining nut from the steering arm. Use a dead-blow hammer to break the steering arm joint free from the knuckle if necessary.
Step 4. Remove the cotter pin and retaining nut from the upper control arm. If necessary, use a hammer and punch to break the upper ball joint free from the knuckle.
Step 5. Remove the cotter pin and retaining nut from the lower control arm. Use a hammer to break the lower ball joint free from the knuckle if necessary.
Step 6. Pull the steering knuckle assembly off the axle, and remove the wheel guard from the knuckle.
Step 7. Remove the retaining circlip from the steering knuckle with circlip pliers to expose the wheel bearing.
Step 8. Put the steering knuckle in a press with a large socket (or something similar) against the inside of the wheel bearing, and a piece of pipe (or something similar) against the outside of the knuckle. Press the bearing down and out from the knuckle.
Step 9. Set the pipe (or something similar) against the inside of the knuckle and a socket (or something similar) against the outside of the bearing, and press the new bearing into the steering knuckle. Continue to press the new bearing into the knuckle until you hear and feel it bottom out within its housing.
Step 12. Reconnect the lower ball joint, and tighten the nut to 22-foot pounds. Replace the cotter pin.
Step 13. Reconnect the upper ball joint, and tighten the nut to 18-foot pounds. Replace the cotter pin.
Step 14. Reconnect the steering arm ball joint, and tighten the nut to 18-foot pounds. Replace the cotter pin.
Step 15. Reinstall the hub and brake disc assembly, then install and finger-tighten a new axle nut and reinstall the brake caliper. Tighten the caliper bolts to 22-foot pounds.
Step 16. Tighten the axle nut to 190-foot pounds, and use a punch to secure the new axle nut against the axle. Replace the axle nut cover.
Stay tuned to our blog for more Yamaha Grizzly YFM700 repairs.
