Dave's "S200KYS" Jimny 'laner Build...

I think there's been a supply chain issue with koyo bearings to the UK for some reason?

Yes, there is a shortage of quality brand bearings at the moment.

Quick change of plan...

Ordered Koyo non-ABS bearings from Martin's BigJimny store...

I'll use the Koyo's with the cheaper brands' ABS retaining collars, and make the cheaper bearing and non-ABS collar into a kit to sit on the shelf for the buggy in time, as new bearings were fitted all round in the rebuild...

Result

So, bearings today...

The 'cheap' ABS bearings I ordered off eBay -



Arrived but didn't have the ABS 'cog' attached... from chtting with the rest of 'our little group' on WhatsApp, some ABS collars are supplied and fitted separately?... ok, we'll see...



With the festive period coming up, time is short, looking at the weather it looked doubtful today, but having finished in the shop for the morning, I walked the dogs as they didn't get a walk yesterday as it lashed it down all day...



But the weather held All stripped and shafts out...



And just as I took them into the garage it started spitting... perfect timing!



I drew a tool,,,



Cut it out...



Tapped it into position under the ABS collar's cogged bit... Applied loads of heat, balanced the tool on two bricks, and with a 3"x2" timber offcut on the end of the shaft, banged and banged... :lol:

And...



Nah, that's not moving, it's definitely a one piece one...

So, I walked round to the local friendly garage 500 yards away, and asked them to get me some ABS collars, the same as they did 18 months ago when I last changed all the bearings...



Kettle on, Mr. Angry out...



And cut the collars and bearings off!... ABS collars come tomorrow, combine them with the Koyo bearings from the BigJimny store and fit them and reassemble everything on Sunday then... Still in good time for our next planned trip, our annual traditional Christmas Run on the 29th...

Back to the rear bearings today then!



As the eBay ABS bearings and retainers had no ABS cog pickup rings on them they ended up getting sent back for a refund. So on Thursday I ordered some genuine ABS collars from my local friendly Suzuki dealer (part number 43485-76J00-000 and £40 each), the only problem was our staff member for Friday and Saturday was using up her remaining holidays so I couldn't get to the dealer to pick them up A quick call to Alan my good friend and usual passenger on 'laning trips... and he went over and picked them up for me so I could fit them today Thanks mate you're a star!



Oil seals out with my special tool...



Half a pair of over-centre pliers!



The new seals get tapped in with a front bearing tool as it's the right diameter



Frozen shafts! They spent the nigh tin the shop's storeroom freezer!



Oven warmed (not too hot!) collars on and then beat with a hammer using a length of seamless tube over the shaft...



And after some serious beating they're in place and ready...



... for reassembly!

Job done... fresh oil in the axle, a test drive, and just as I locked the Jimny up on the drive... the heavens opened! Perfect timing...!

I have a question. Kinda brought on by the last but one picture. The disk conversion, does it really make a noticeable difference in stopping performance on your truck over the standard or is it more for ease of maintenance and service accessibility. I feel you're the best person to ask given the size and weight of s200kys over Dreadnaught. Thanks in advance.