Hi Folks,
Amidst disassembly of the rear end components on my %u201822 800XC to repair a torn CV boot, I came across this. Seems like a little too much axial play on the inner race of the bearing%u2026but then again, maybe not? Bike only has 2000km%u2019s on it so if this is a bad bearing, than I guess I am really unlucky for it to have failed this early on.
What are your thoughts%u2026is this normal?

[2015 Z Force 800 53/Trail EPS]

If that is the inner race...and it looks like it is, that's too much. The hub when installed is supposed to bear against it through to the land on the other side of the half-shaft. It should still have that movement. If it does, yes, it needs replaced. Interesting that it wore axially not the other way as most do. Suggests side loading.

Yeah I dont think it should be doing that. If I grab the spline that is poking through the hub and gently wiggle it back and forth, there is a little play left and right and there is an audible tacky/sloshing noise (the grease in the bearing).
Pretty sure that is not right.

Those are split bearings and the inner race sets the pre-load when the axle nut is torqued. The inner race does move, especially if you've greased them with a tool that forces the grease in from the middle.

I'm only concerned about the movement because it looks like the bearing is completely dry.

There is actually plenty of grease in there, when you look from the inside (I took the swing arm off last night). There was so much grease in the bearings it was all over the inside of the hub near the bearing. It's almost like they over-packed the bearing from the factory where it was produced. I noticed the same thing on the other side of the ATV shortly after I purchased the bike last year, in that I could see grease blobs on the inner part of the hub.
Here is another video I took last night.

Did you buy it new? My experience is that there is minimal grease in the bearings from the factory, at least in 2017 models.

I'm surprised the inner race would move so freely if they were well greased. The second video is more concerning than the first. I've not seen one move like that before.

Does the other side move like that?

If there was no play when pre-loaded and it wasn't making any noise, I'd be tempted to grease it and use it.

Bought it new, November of 2021.
I thought it was odd as well...I mean there was a lot of grease on the hub where the outboard drive cup mates up close to the bearing.
No play and no noise so far.
I think I will throw a little grease in there and button her back up.
Will keep an eye on it and change out down the line if things worsen at all.

As you have it this far apart already I'd take off that snap ring and the bearings will probably fall right out. Then you can inspect them. The way that bearing freely wobbles in the knuckle is concerning. My experience is they are a press interferance fit. Tight by a thou or two, not able to finger push.
When you assemble put the bearings in the freezer and the knuckle in the oven, then they go together nicely, otherwise it can (should) be a struggle.