1997-2001 Honda CR250 Rear Wheel Bearings Change

Oct 16, 2017

Rear Wheel Bearing Replacement

Replacing the rear wheel bearings on your ’97-’01 Honda CR250 is a very simple job, but the bearings are a driven fit, so you will need fire and a hammer to remove them.

The Tools You Will Need

A garage floor
Two long 2x4s
27mm Socket and breaker bar for the axle nut
13mm wrench for chain adjuster jam nut
10mm wrench for chain adjuster
A block of wood
A Tire Spoon
44mm Bearing retainer tool
A drift
19mm socket for the inner bearing race
27mm socket for outer bearing race
A Socket wrench extension
A Propane Torch
A Hammer
A finishing file
Parts cleaner
A Clean towel
Safety glasses
Gloves

Specialty Tools

Besides the block of wood, the only specialty tool you will need is the bearing retainer tool. I would typically make a DIY tool for this sort of thing, but there are two very good reasons not to.

As you will find out, the bearing retainer is very brittle, so using a homemade tool can easily break it. Secondly, the retainer tool only costs $13, whereas the retainer itself costs $16.

Not only will breaking the retainer cost more but now you have to order a new one and wait around while your friends go riding without you.

You Can Get Parts And Tools Through Our Partner Links HERE!

Rear Wheel Bearing Replacement Parts

The only parts you will need are a set of new ’97-’01 Honda CR250 bearings and seals

I am installing a set of factory links bearings and seals.

I run factory links because their bearings are double shielded. This means I don’t need to pre-grease them, and because they are sealed, they will resist water contamination longer than single shield bearings.

If you haven’t ordered your new bearings yet, I put a link below for the exact ones I use.

To get a better idea of what you’re working with, learn how the rear wheel hub works on your CR250 first.

Pre-Service Notes

Your rear wheel has three bearings, two on the sprocket side, and one on the brake side.
Always start and end with the brake side bearing
I recommend opening the Service & Torque Specs in a new tab for easy reference.
If you need parts and tools, make sure to buy them here!
Pictures with captions are after the steps below.
If you need any help don’t hesitate to ask!

Rear Wheel Bearing Removal

Step 1: Remove the rear wheel.
Step 2: Remove the bearing retainer.
- Align your bearing retainer tool with the teeth on the bearing retainer and firmly turn it. If it does not turn, do not force it, you could break it.
- Instead, tap the end of your wrench with a hammer until you see the retainer turn.
Step 3: Pry out the old seals.
- There should be a shallow grease lip inside the old seal. Hook this with your tire spoon and pry it out.
Step 4: Once the old seals are out, clean the seal bore.
Step 5: Dislodge the distance collar.
Step 6: Insert your drift from the sprocket side, up to, but not touching the brake side bearing. Work your drift up and down to dislodge the distance collar.
Step 7: Place your wheel brake side up on your 2x4s, so only the rim and tire are supporting the wheel.
Step 8: Heat the hub, not the bearing, for 60 seconds. This makes the hub expand slightly, which relieves the pressure on the bearing.
Step 9 & 10: Flip your wheel over and align your socket to the INNER bearing race, and tap until the brake side bearing falls out.
- Do not strike the bearing too hard! The sprocket side bearings are seated against a lip inside the hub. Striking the inner bearing race too hard will break the sprocket side bearings, then you have to chip the outer bearing race out of the hub. This is annoying, and you could damage the hub.
Step 11: Repeat this process for the sprocket side bearings

Step 4: Once the old seals are out, clean the seal bore.

Step 6: Insert your drift from the sprocket side, up to, but not touching the brake side bearing. Work your drift up and down to dislodge the distance collar.

Step 7: Place your wheel brake side up on your 2x4s, so only the rim and tire are supporting the wheel.

Step 8: Heat the hub, not the bearing, for 60 seconds. This makes the hub expand slightly, which relieves the pressure on the bearing.

Step 9 & 10: Flip your wheel over and align your socket to the INNER bearing race, and tap until the brake side bearing falls out.

Brake Side Bearing And Distance Collar On Ground

Step 11: Repeat this process for the sprocket side bearings

Rear Hub Maintenance

Step 12: Clean and inspect the hub, hub components, and swing arm mounts for any signs of wear or damage.
- File off any burrs or chips.
- Do not remove any material when smoothing the ends of the hub components. The spacers and distance collar need to be an exact length to work properly. If the ends are damaged, they need to be replaced.
- Water has contaminated this hub assembly, and the distance collar and hub have some corrosion.
Step 13: If you find this on your bike, file off the corrosion as much as you can without removing too much metal, then think about the importance of grease and good seals.
Step 14: Once everything is cleaned and smoothed, test fit your new bearings. They are a driven fit, so they should NOT slip into the bore.
- If your bearings do slip into the bore, you will need to replace your hub.

Step 12: Clean and inspect the hub, hub components, and swing arm mounts for any signs of wear or damage.

Do not remove any material when smoothing the ends of the hub components. The spacers and distance collar need to be an exact length to work properly. If the ends are damaged, they need to be replaced.

Water has contaminated this hub assembly, and the distance collar and hub have some corrosion.

Step 13: If you find this on your bike, file off the corrosion as much as you can without removing too much metal, then think about the importance of grease and good seals.

Step 14: Once everything is cleaned and smoothed, test fit your new bearings. They are a driven fit, so they should NOT slip into the bore.

If your bearings do slip into the bore, you will need to replace your hub.

Rear Wheel Bearing Installation

Step 15: Set your wheel on your block of wood sprocket side up, so only the hub is supported.
Step 16: Grease the bore, then line up your new bearing flush to the hub.
Step 17: Align your large socket to the OUTER bearing race, and drive the bearing into the bore.
Step 18: Apply another coat of grease and repeat the driving process with the second bearing.
Step 19: Apply another coat of grease, and drive your seal into the bore, making sure the seal retention spring is facing in.
Step 20: Stack your spacers and axle block on the axle, and drop into the hub, then flip your wheel over.
Step 21: The axle will now be the guide to align the distance collar with the brake side bearing.
Flip Your Wheel Over
Step 22: Apply grease to both ends of the distance collar, and drop it into the hub.
Step 23: Grease the bore, and install your last bearing.
Step 24: Install the bearing retainer hand tight.
Step 25: Apply your last layer of grease, and install the bearing seal, spring side in.
Step 26: Torque the bearing retainer to 33 ft-lb.
Remember to take your time, and your bearing replacement will go smoothly.