GSX-R1000 Front Wheel Bearings Change

Worn wheel bearings will kill the handling of your Suzuki motorcycle, to the point that riding becomes downright dangerous if they're allowed to deteriorate too much. 

Watch the video above and follow the steps below to replace the front wheel bearings on a Suzuki GSX-R1000 motorcycle. Use our GSXR 1000 exploded parts diagram for additional reference.

Tools and Parts - Suzuki GSXR1000 Front Wheel Bearing Replacement

• 3/8th ratchet
• 10mm, 12mm, 22mm sockets
• Screwdriver
• Hammer
• Punch tool

• Torque wrench
• Bearing driver set
• Front wheel bearings (x2)
• Front wheel bearing seals (x2)
• Race grease

Replacing the Front Wheel Bearings on a Suzuki GSX-R1000

Step 1. Remove the front wheel by taking off the brake calipers, then loosening the front axle pinch bolts. Next, remove the axle nut and slide the axle out. There's an axle spacer on the right side you'll need to catch as you withdraw the axle. Remove the front wheel and lay it on a work surface.

PRO TIP: To avoid damaging the brake discs and wheel hub, put something protective such as an old towel across the work surface while you work on the front wheel.

Step 2. Remove the bearing seals with a flathead screwdriver, levering the old seals out of the wheel.

Step 3. Remove the wheel bearings by raising the wheel up off the work surface and using a punch to knock the bearings out from the opposite side. Take off the bearing spacer from within the wheel.

Step 4. Clean the axle and bearing housings. Next, clean all the old grease and dirt from the housings for the wheel bearings and axle. Also clean the bearing spacer, the axle spacer and the axle.

Step 5. Install the new bearings with the sealed ends facing out. Pack the new bearings with high quality grease. Gently tap in the bearings to center them, then use a bearing driver to drive the bearings down into the wheel. Reinstall the bearing spacer before installing the second wheel bearing.

Step 6. Install the new bearing seals by first greasing the inner surface of the seals, and driving them into the wheel using the bearing driver. 

NOTE: The bearing seals only need to be flush with the wheel hub; they don't need to be driven further down into the wheel. 

Step 7. Reinstall the front wheel by replacing the wheel spacer on the right side of the wheel, lightly greasing the axle, and sliding the axle through the suspension tubes and front wheel. Next, reinstall the axle bolt and torque it to 72.5 foot-pounds.

Step 8. Center the front wheel. Torque the pinch bolts on the right suspension tube to 16.5 foot-pounds. Push down on the front end a few times to center the wheel on the axle, then torque the left side pinch bolts to 16.5 foot-pounds.

Step 9. Reinstall the brake calipers, then torque the caliper mounting bolts to 28 foot-pounds and you're done.

A motorcycle's wheel bearings usually wear evenly front-and-rear, so if your front bearings needed replacing, chances are the rear ones do too. Watch the video below to see how to replace the rear wheel bearings on a Suzuki GSXR1000.