swingarm bolt

[kawirider]

hello guys....today my bro is going to pick up a 1997 rm 125.....i know this is a kawasaki site but i have a quick question.....the bottom end of the motor needs repair...the bolt that goes through the swingarm and the motor is siezed.....the guy before us said he hit that bolt with a sledge hammer and it didnt move....does anyone have an idea how we can get this bolt out so we can remove the engine???thanks

[alan]

I have always found that Heat is your best friends when it comes to seized bolts! I do not recommend a torch, because you could start a fire. The hot air blowers work pretty well.  If the last guy beat on it with a hammer it could be all mushroomed out! So you need to resolve that problem and see if you can turn it on its side and get some liquid wrench to soak down inside and after 24hr I would go for it with the heat!

You can use at torch if you are outside with a fire extinguisher standing by!

Good Luck!

[kawirider]

hello...where would i need to torch??

[alan]

What I meant was you man need to heat it to expand the frame area that the bolt goes through! At times I have had to tear things down so I could fit them into a press and heat then up at the same time I was applying extreme pressure to them.

 Anytime someone starts beating on a bolt or shaft repeatedly in will expand at the point of impact and the area in which it is stuck! My rule has always been if you can't "tap it out"! Then "pull it out" or "press it out"!  Back in the beginning of metal working they welded things together by heating them and beating on them together!

[Danger4u2]

I use a brass headed hammer for beating on stuff like that, less likely to mushroom the part your beating on.  Use the liquid wrench like Alan suggested and beat the bolt both directions an equal amount until it gives.  Use an open end wrench.   Have someone tap the head of the bolt as you try to turn it.  Again as Alan said use a hair dryer to heat the case.  If that doesn't work let it cool and just heat both ends of the bolt.  Use an air impact gun and try to get it to turn.  I think the liquid wrench is the key to your problem.  When I worked in the oil field we would "fix it till it's fixed or fix it till it's broke".  That saying only works if it's someone else's money your spending.   If that doesn't work watch e-bay for your NEW TO YOU KX500, sorry man just joking, good luck.  Let us know what worked.

[gowen]

When buying used dirtbikes, usally there is always a axle bolt siezed.. I've had ones that heating and beating didn't budge.. Those I ended up using a jig saw and had to cut the swingarm off completely and then cut the bolt out of the frame. That was an old '93 CR125.. Thankfully I ended up with a swingarm for $20+shipping on ebay.. Then I've used snapon and craftmens sockets to beat on the axle to get it out.. Ruines the axle but gets it done sometimes.. Before you start smashing things, fallow David and Allen's ideas, then check ebay for replacement parts or going prices so you know what you are going to have to pay..

[KDXGarage]

liquid wrench, air impact, brass drift, heat, cursing, etc.