MC21-04 2018-2021 Kawasaki Ninja Motorcycles Rear Wheel Hub Bearing Replacement

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July 30, 2021 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 21V594000

Bearing Failure May Cause Rear Wheel To Lock

Rear wheel lock-up can increase the risk of a crash.

 

NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V594

Manufacturer Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A.

Components SUSPENSION

Potential Number of Units Affected 857

 

Summary

Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. (KMC) is recalling certain 2018 Ninja H2 SX, Ninja H2 SX SE, and 2019-2021 Ninja H2 SX SE+ motorcycles. An insufficient amount of grease in the rear hub needle-bearing may cause it to fail, which could result in the rear wheel locking up.

 

Remedy

Dealers will replace the needle-bearing, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 23, 2021. Owners may contact KMC customer service at 1-866-802-9381. KMC’s number for this recall is MC21-04.

 

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

 

Check for Kawasaki Recalls

 


Subject

On eligible units, the amount of grease applied to the needle bearings in the rear hub housing may be insufficient due to variations in the application process. With continuous use, this could lead to bearing failure, and potentially cause the rear wheel to lock, increasing the risk of a crash.

 

Kawasaki Action

Initiate Campaign:

Kawasaki has initiated a Recall campaign to repair all eligible units. The repair consists of replacing the wheel bearing and seal on sold units and lubricating the wheel bearing on unsold units.

 

Notify Registered Owners:

Kawasaki is sending a Recall letter to all registered owners of eligible units. A copy of the letter is printed on page 12 of this bulletin.

 

Repair Procedure

 

Remove and discard the rear sprocket guard bolts [A].

Retain the collars [B], guard [C] and washers [D].

 

ZX1002A Models Only

Remove and retain the exhaust pipe cover bolt [A].

Rotate the exhaust pipe cover counter-clockwise to clear the hooks [C] then remove and retain the exhaust pipe cover [B].

 

Remove and retain the bolt [A] and collar [C].

Remove and retain the muffler body cover [B] by sliding it forward.

 

Loosen the muffler body clamp bolt [C].

Remove and retain the muffler body mounting bolt [D], collar [E] and nut [N].

Remove and retain the muffler body [F] by sliding it backwards.

 

Loosen the rear wheel nuts [A].

Support the swingarm using a suitable stand.

Remove and retain the rear wheel nuts [A] and washers[B].

Remove and retain the rear wheel.

 

Remove and retain plate [A].

 

Remove and retain caliper mounting bolts [A].

Detach the caliper [B] from the brake rotor [C].

 

Loosen the bearing housing clamp bolts [A] gradually, alternating between each bolt.

 

Turn the chain adjuster [A] clockwise [C] using adjustable hook wrench 57001-1863 [B] (or equivalent) to slacken the drive chain.

 

Remove and discard the cotter pin [A].

 

While holding the inner rear axle [A], remove the rear axle nut [B].

Remove and retain collars [C].

Disengage the drive chain [D].

Remove and retain the coupling [E].

 

Remove and retain sleeve [A].

Remove and retain outer rear axle [B].

 

IMPORTANT NOTE:

Do not replace the needle bearing and seals on unsold units.

 

  • If the unit is UNSOLD, grease the needle bearing [A] and grease seals [E] with 4~6.4 g (4.4ml~7.1ml) (approximately one rounded teaspoon) of high temperature grease. Start the reassembly process beginning at the bottom of page 6 of this bulletin.

 

  • If the unit is SOLD or has been RIDDEN, proceed to the next step below.

 

Secure the rear caliper holder [A] in place with a piece of tape in the area shown.

Remove and discard circlip [B].

Remove and retain bearing housing [C].

 

Using a suitable tool, remove and discard grease seals [A].

Using a suitable tool, remove and discard needle bearing [B].

 

Grease the needle bearing [A] and grease seals [D] with 4 ~ 6.4 g (4.4ml~7.1ml) (approximately one rounded teaspoon) of high temperature grease.

Press the needle bearing [A] into the bearing housing [B] until it is 0.24 + 0.02 in. (6.0 + 0.4 mm) [C] below the surface of the bearing housing.

Install the grease seals [D] so that the surface of the seal is flush with the surface of the bearing housing [B]

Apply a light coating of high temperature grease to the grease seal lips.

 

Replace circlip [A] with the new one from the repair kit.

Install the bearing housing [B]

Remove tape from the rear caliper holder [C].

 

Reassembly Procedure

Install outer rear axle [A].

Apply a light coat of high temperature grease to the outer circumference of the sleeve [B] and install the sleeve.

 

Engage the drive chain and install the coupling [A] to the outer rear axle [B].

Align the paint marks [C].

 

Install the rear brake disc assembly [A] to the outer rear axle [B].

Align the line [C] and the paint mark [D].

 

Install collar [A] with the stepped side facing inward.

 

Install collar [A] with the stepped side facing inward.

Insert the inner rear axle [B] from the coupling side so that one of the holes in the axle is facing upward [C].

 

WARNING

A loose axle nut can lead to an accident resulting in serious injury or death. Tighten the axle nut to the proper torque and install a new cotter pin.

 

While holding the inner rear axle, tighten the rear axle nut [A] to 148 ft·lb (20.4 kgf·m, 200 N·m).

 

Insert a new cotter pin [A] downward through the upper side of the inner axle at the 12 o-clock position.

  • If the slot in the nut does not line up with the hole in the 12 o-clock position, tighten the nut no more than 60 degrees [B] until the next slot aligns, then loosen the nut and tighten again to 148 ft·lb (20.4 kgf·m, 200 N·m) and insert the cotter pin in the 12 o-clock position.

 

Bend the cotter pin [A] along the nut [B].

 

Install plate [A].

Install rear wheel [B].

Install washers [C] (qty=5).

Install rear wheel nuts [D] (qty=5).

Tighten the rear wheel nuts [D] snugly following the tighening sequence shown [1 ~ 6].

Tighten the rear wheel nuts to the final torque of 81.1 ft·lb (11.2 kgf·m, 110 N·m) using the same sequence [1 ~ 6].

Install the caliper making sure to avoid sharp bending, kinking, flattening or twisting of the hose and cable.

Tighten the rear rear caliper mounting bolts [B] to 26 ft·lb (3.6 kgf·m, 35 N·m).

Check the brake for good braking power, no brake drag, and no fluid leakage.

 

Rotate the rear wheel to find the position where the chain is tightest.

Measure the vertical movement (chain slack) [A] midway between the sprockets.

Standard chain slack:
25 ~ 35 mm (1.0 ~ 1.4 in.) [A]

 

Turn the chain adjuster [A] until the drive chain has correct amount of slack with adjustable hook wrench 57001-1863 [B] (or equivalent).

  • If the chain is too loose, turn the chain adjuster counter clockwise.
  • If the too tight, turn the chain adjuster clockwise [C].

 

Push the coupling into the swingarm until it bottoms out.

Confirm that there is no gap [B] between the chain adjuster [C] and the swingarm [D].

 

Gradually tighten the bearing housing clamp bolts [A] [B] alternately (A-B-A-B-A-B-A) to the final torque of 24 ft·lb (3.4 kgf·m, 33 N·m).

 

WARNING

After servicing, it takes several applications of the brake pedal before the brake pads contact the disc, which could result in increased stopping distance and cause an accident resulting in injury or death. Do not attempt to ride the motorcycle until a firm brake pedal is obtained by pumping the pedal until the pads are against the disc.

 

Replace the muffler body gasket with a new one from the repair kit.

Install the muffler body gasket into the exhaust pipe until it is bottomed so that the chamfer side faces out towards the exhaust pipe.

Install the muffler body clamp [A] as shown making sure that projection [B] is positioned in slot [C].

 

Install the muffler body [A].

Install the muffler body mounting bolt [B], collar [C] and nut [N].

Tighten the muffler body mounting bolt and nut to 18ft·lb (2.5 kgf·m, 25 N·m).

Tighten the muffler body clamp bolt [D] to 13ft·lb (1.7 kgf·m, 17 N·m).

 

Install the dampers [A] as shown.

 

Install dampers [A] and collar [B] in the muffler body cover [E].

Fit slot [C] of the exhaust pipe onto tab [F] of the muffler body cover [E].

Install bolt [D] and tighten.

 

Replace the muffler body gasket with a new one from the repair kit.

Install the muffler body gasket into the exhaust pipe until it is bottomed so that the chamfer side faces out towards the exhaust pipe.

 

Repair Verification

  • Make a blue paint mark [A] on the frame as shown to serve as repair verification. Install the rear seat when finished.

 

NOTE:

Repair verification is an essential part of the repair procedure. Along with the physical repair verification, check VIP (Vehicle Information Portal) in K-Dealer for other possible repair campaigns for eligible units.

 


Dear Kawasaki Motorcycle Owner:

This notice is sent to you in accordance with the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act. Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A., has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in certain 2018 ~ 2021 NINJA H2 SX SE/SE+ models.

 

The reason for this notice:

On eligible units, the amount of grease applied to the needle-bearings in the rear hub housing may be insufficient due to variations in the application process. With continuous use, this could lead to bearing failure, and potentially cause the rear wheel to lock, increasing the risk of a crash. Our records indicate that you have purchased one of these units.

 

What Kawasaki and your dealer will do:

Kawasaki has authorized your dealer to replace the rear wheel hub bearing on your motorcycle free of charge. The actual repair will take up to 1.1 hours but may take longer due to scheduling at the dealership and the time needed to obtain required parts.

 

What should you do to ensure your safety?

Please call your Kawasaki dealer to schedule an appointment to have your motorcycle inspected and repaired as required. Please have your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) ready when calling. To locate the nearest authorized Kawasaki motorcycle dealer, please visit www.kawasaki.com and click on the “LOCATE DEALER” link. If you are unable to transport your motorcycle to your nearest Kawasaki dealer, please contact Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A.

to make arrangements for the transportation and repair of your motorcycle. The transportation and repair will be conducted with no cost to you.

 

If you need help:

If you have questions or concerns that your dealer is not able to resolve, please contact Kawasaki Customer Care at (866) 802-9381 (toll-free) between 7:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. PT Monday through Friday. Please have your Vehicle Identification Number ready when calling.

If your dealer fails or is unable to remedy this defect without charge within a reasonable amount of time (60 days after your first attempt to obtain remedy), you may submit a written complaint to the Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 1200 New Jersey Ave. S.E., Washington, D.C. 20590, or call the toll-free Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1(888) 327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); or go to https://www.safercar.gov.

 

If you received this notice in error:

Our records indicate you are the current owner of the motorcycle described in this letter. If you no longer have the vehicle described in this letter, please help us to update our records at www.kawasaki.com by clicking on “OWNER CENTER => KAWASAKI SUPPORT => UPDATE OWNER INFO” or by calling Kawasaki toll free at (866) 802-9381.

Federal regulation requires that any vehicle lessor receiving this recall notice must forward a copy of this notice to the lessee within ten days. Continued on next page

 

Reimbursement:

If you have experienced the failure described above prior to receiving this letter and have paid to have it corrected, you may be eligible for full or partial reimbursement for your documented cost of repair(s). To apply for reimbursement, please send copies of current owner and VIN information along with copies of repair orders and payment confirmation to the following address:

Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A.
ATTN:  Customer Care
P.O. Box 25252
Santa Ana, California 92799-5252

 

Please note the following conditions for reimbursement:

Claims may be excluded if proper documentation is not included. Current owner and VIN information along with copies of repair orders and payment confirmation must be provided.

We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause, but we have taken this action in the interest of your safety and your continued satisfaction with your Kawasaki motorcycle.

 

Sincerely,

 

Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A.

 



5 Affected Products

Vehicles

MAKE MODEL YEAR
KAWASAKI ZX1002A 2018
KAWASAKI ZX1002B 2018
KAWASAKI ZX1002D 2019-2021

 


11 Associated Documents

Recall 573 Report – Amendment 2

RCLRPT-21V594-3212.PDF 218.674KB

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Recall 573 Report – Amendment 1

RCLRPT-21V594-2964.PDF 218.674KB

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Recall Acknowledgement

RCAK-21V594-1391.pdf 775.324KB

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Defect Notice 573 Report

RCLRPT-21V594-9249.PDF 218.673KB

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Recall Quarterly Report #2, 2021-4

RCLQRT-21V594-0978.PDF 211.246KB

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Remedy Instructions and TSB

RCRIT-21V594-6872.pdf 11001.871KB

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ISSUED Owner Notification Letter(Part 577)

RCONL-21V594-9601.pdf 168.11KB

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Recall 573 Report – AMENDMENT 5

RCLRPT-21V594-6699.PDF 219.029KB

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Recall 573 Report – AMENDMENT 3

RCLRPT-21V594-5730.PDF 218.674KB

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Recall 573 Report – AMENDMENT 4

RCLRPT-21V594-1432.PDF 218.674KB

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Recall Quarterly Report #3, 2022-1

RCLQRT-21V594-1527.PDF 211.333KB

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Latest Recalls Documents

For the Latest and Most Recent Recalls Information Visit the link below…

https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/acms/cs/documentList.xhtml?docId=21V594&docType=RCL

 


 

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