Post by 67kev on Oct 22, 2020 14:26:43 GMT 1
Hi, I'm just wondering if any of you guys (gals?) are familiar with the DR350 engine? I emailed Suzuki GB with a query recently, but I didn't really get a full explanation back from them ......... I had to be as descriptive as possible in my email, so it goes on a bit ... (mmm .... ok, a lot), but I'm still at a loss as to how part of the lubrication system operates. Those of you with no interest, please don't waste any more time reading. Those that might be able to cast some light on the subject, here's my email....
Good afternoon,
I'm hoping that one of your technical people can help me problem solve/explain to me a query relating to my Suzuki. Firstly, a bit of background info for you .... I'm currently halfway through a full engine and gearbox rebuild on my 1991 Suzuki DR350. It has been rebuilt before by a previous owner, and I have noticed a few mistakes/signs of shoddy workmanship whilst taking the engine apart. As a result of this, I haven't much confidence that it was necessarily put back together correctly. I'm not familiar with this engine, and most of my previous experience is with 70's and 80's two-stroke engines.
The problem/query I have relates to the oil feed (Mission oil outer pipe Part No.11280-14D02) to and lubrication of the left side crankcase bearings on the main drive shaft and the countershaft (Part No.09262-22024 and Part No.09262-17018 superseded by part No.09262-17027 respectfully).
For some reason, on splitting the crankcases, I expected all the bearings inside the crankcase to be 'open bearings' i.e. unshielded/unsealed. However, on heating the crankcase halves to release the old bearings, I was surprised to have a couple of single shielded/sealed bearings fall out. (The shield/seal looks like an orange/reddish/brown plastic/rubber material).
Looking at the available lubrication schematics/pics/flow charts on the internet/in my Clymer manual, it seems that oil is pressure fed along the mission oil outer(external) pipe to the left side crankcase. It enters the crankcase casting, and firstly fills a chamber that feeds the mission oil inner (internal) pipe which sprays the transmission shafts/gears etc. The oil then proceeds through a drilling into a machined circular recess that houses the left side countershaft bearing and then through another smaller drilling to enter another machined circular recess that houses the driveshaft bearing. Both of these bearing 'recesses' are machined so that the when the two bearings are sitting firmly in place, each has a small area (chamber) behind it, that I presume is supposed to fill under pressure with oil?
I have checked the various Suzuki part numbers and looked up the original equipment bearings that are available to purchase, and as far as I can see, all three bearings (Part Nos as above, two original numbers + one superseded) are single shielded/sealed items.
This is my query:-
1) If oil is supplied under pressure to lubricate these two bearings, should it be able to flow 'through' the bearings or not?
2) If so, how can it flow through the bearings if they are shielded/sealed on one side?
3) If the bearings ARE supposed to be single shielded/sealed, which way round are they designed to go?
4) How can the oil from the mission oil feed pipe lubricate them if the shield/seal is on the left-hand side (oil feed side) of the bearings? (Which is how I found them when I dismantled my engine).
5) If they are supposed to be splash lubricated from inside the gearbox, why have a mission oil feed pipe at all?
6) So, in summary, I don't understand why single shielded/sealed bearings are used in these two locations, and if they are definitely supposed to be single shielded/sealed, which way round they should be to ensure correct lubrication?
Hopefully, you're going to tell me that they are supposed to be single shielded/sealed bearings, and that they do allow a certain amount of oil to pass through under pressure. In this case, please still remind me which orientation they should be placed in the crankcase - shield/seal on the left, or shield/seal on the right.
Thanks for your time, and I look forward to hearing back from you.
Their response was:-
Dear Mr ****,
Thank you for your e-mail.
I have spoken with the Technical Department who have advised that the main bearings are caged but not sealed.
They explained that there is an oil pressure feed around the engine to the various bearings and the camshafts.
They advised that it would be best if you purchase the genuine parts you need if you are in any doubt at all.
Regrettably they do not have a manual any longer to supply due to the age of the machine.
I hope this helps.
Not really much help, as I'm sure you can see.
Sooooo, has anyone on here pulled a DR350 apart, and can anyone explain why two single shielded/sealed bearings should have an oil feed going to them from their sealed sides?
Good afternoon,
I'm hoping that one of your technical people can help me problem solve/explain to me a query relating to my Suzuki. Firstly, a bit of background info for you .... I'm currently halfway through a full engine and gearbox rebuild on my 1991 Suzuki DR350. It has been rebuilt before by a previous owner, and I have noticed a few mistakes/signs of shoddy workmanship whilst taking the engine apart. As a result of this, I haven't much confidence that it was necessarily put back together correctly. I'm not familiar with this engine, and most of my previous experience is with 70's and 80's two-stroke engines.
The problem/query I have relates to the oil feed (Mission oil outer pipe Part No.11280-14D02) to and lubrication of the left side crankcase bearings on the main drive shaft and the countershaft (Part No.09262-22024 and Part No.09262-17018 superseded by part No.09262-17027 respectfully).
For some reason, on splitting the crankcases, I expected all the bearings inside the crankcase to be 'open bearings' i.e. unshielded/unsealed. However, on heating the crankcase halves to release the old bearings, I was surprised to have a couple of single shielded/sealed bearings fall out. (The shield/seal looks like an orange/reddish/brown plastic/rubber material).
Looking at the available lubrication schematics/pics/flow charts on the internet/in my Clymer manual, it seems that oil is pressure fed along the mission oil outer(external) pipe to the left side crankcase. It enters the crankcase casting, and firstly fills a chamber that feeds the mission oil inner (internal) pipe which sprays the transmission shafts/gears etc. The oil then proceeds through a drilling into a machined circular recess that houses the left side countershaft bearing and then through another smaller drilling to enter another machined circular recess that houses the driveshaft bearing. Both of these bearing 'recesses' are machined so that the when the two bearings are sitting firmly in place, each has a small area (chamber) behind it, that I presume is supposed to fill under pressure with oil?
I have checked the various Suzuki part numbers and looked up the original equipment bearings that are available to purchase, and as far as I can see, all three bearings (Part Nos as above, two original numbers + one superseded) are single shielded/sealed items.
This is my query:-
1) If oil is supplied under pressure to lubricate these two bearings, should it be able to flow 'through' the bearings or not?
2) If so, how can it flow through the bearings if they are shielded/sealed on one side?
3) If the bearings ARE supposed to be single shielded/sealed, which way round are they designed to go?
4) How can the oil from the mission oil feed pipe lubricate them if the shield/seal is on the left-hand side (oil feed side) of the bearings? (Which is how I found them when I dismantled my engine).
5) If they are supposed to be splash lubricated from inside the gearbox, why have a mission oil feed pipe at all?
6) So, in summary, I don't understand why single shielded/sealed bearings are used in these two locations, and if they are definitely supposed to be single shielded/sealed, which way round they should be to ensure correct lubrication?
Hopefully, you're going to tell me that they are supposed to be single shielded/sealed bearings, and that they do allow a certain amount of oil to pass through under pressure. In this case, please still remind me which orientation they should be placed in the crankcase - shield/seal on the left, or shield/seal on the right.
Thanks for your time, and I look forward to hearing back from you.
Their response was:-
Dear Mr ****,
Thank you for your e-mail.
I have spoken with the Technical Department who have advised that the main bearings are caged but not sealed.
They explained that there is an oil pressure feed around the engine to the various bearings and the camshafts.
They advised that it would be best if you purchase the genuine parts you need if you are in any doubt at all.
Regrettably they do not have a manual any longer to supply due to the age of the machine.
I hope this helps.
Not really much help, as I'm sure you can see.
Sooooo, has anyone on here pulled a DR350 apart, and can anyone explain why two single shielded/sealed bearings should have an oil feed going to them from their sealed sides?
I'm trying to work it out though ....... This link should show the oil flow through the entire engine/gearbox...https://www.manualslib.com/manual/824331/Suzuki-Dr350.html?page=85#manual The part that is most relevant starts from the words 'OIL PUMP' (approx centre of flow chart) then goes to - 'OIL FILTER' - 'CLUTCH COVER' - 'OIL PIPE' (this is an external rigid oil pipe which exits via banjo bolt fixing, the clutch cover/case above the oil filter housing on the right side of the engine, and feeds into .....) - 'CRANKCASE LEFT' via banjo bolt fixing (left side of engine) - 'COUNTERSHAFT LEFT END BEARING' (actually a small chamber behind it, with the rubber/plastic seal in bearing blocking entry) - 'ORIFICE' - (leading to) - 'DRIVESHAFT LEFT END BEARING' (again, a small chamber behind it with the rubber/plastic seal in bearing blocking entry) - (DRIVESHAFT/COUNTERSHAFT/GEARS AREN'T A PROB AS I CAN SEE HOW THEY ARE OILED). I say a 'pressure fed' oil supply because the Clymer manual says something about min pressure of 5bar when testing oil pump pressure. (Suzuki also refer to an 'oil pressure feed' in their response to my email). Hope this answers your questions ... if not, I'll try again. Kev