Reference: Suzuki Workshop manual: Sections (F) 6-11 to 6-15  (R) 6-42 to 6-46

AndyW Mar2005
As early as Nov2003 I identified the potential for problems........here's an extract of my post on the forum back then:

"Took my rear wheel out last night to take in to the tyre shop for new rubber today.

On inspection of the spindle I found evidence of water ingress past the bearing seals i.e. there was water on the spindle! ....the bike last saw water over a week ago when I washed it (hose not pressure washer), although it's done few miles since.

No corrosion as I gave the spindle a light coating of grease last time I had the wheel out (for puncture repair - although on removal that time the spindle was dry i.e. not greased)..... so no harm done. The spindle had been tightened to the specified torque when the wheel was last reinstalled."

It appears that new bikes are delivered with dry (un-greased) axles - it may or may not be part of the PDI process to grease the axles but I suspect that 99% of Dealers at least won't do this!

My advice, remove your wheels regularly and lightly grease the spindle, after cleaning, with a quality grease (bearing specific or other high temp resistant grease).  I also push a little grease in behind the rubber 'dust seal' of the bearings and smear lightly on the inner faces of the wheel where the spindle slides through. Between, changes of rubber, puncture repairs and cleaning, each wheel is off my bike at least once within every service period (3500 miles).  If you're not up for removing wheels ask your Dealer to do this on a regular basis.

IMHO use of a Power Washer (Jet Washer) to clean your bike is not recommended - it's too easy to wash lube/grease from where it's supposed to be not to mention driving water in to places that water would not normally reach (electrics etc).  It's also easy to cause other damage too such as flattening radiator fins and literally blowing paint off plastics (it has happened!.....there only needs to be a tiny 'edge' to the paint such as a stone chip) etc
If you do use a power washer at least turn the pressure down a bit (if you can), don't get too close and be very conscious of where you point that thing :-)  Brilliant for the car and cleaning patios but mine goes nowhere near the bikes!

Why?!.................well following a recent post on the forum by 'Nard Mob Phot I decided I had better get an 'article' up on my site here!..............take heed, ignore this warning at your peril!

'Nard Mob Phot Mar2005
Here are some pics of my rear spindle and a bloody good reason not to power wash!!!!!!!!! - schoolboy error me thinks!  £120 to get it put right!!
Basically the ball race disintegrated and the damage was caused by the ball bearings. You will notice that one of the spacers and half of one of the races are welded to the spindle!

There was little warning by way of bearing noise or anything........never noticed it until it went and it was kinda sudden. All the damage to the spindle looks like its been going on for a while but there was no indication. My bike has 15000 miles on the odo.

AndyW: Some guys have floated the idea that the bearings were at fault and that 'Nards unfortunate incident had nothing to do with using a power washer. Bearing failure for sure!..........cheap bearings or not it's very likely that water ingress contributed more than a little. Worth checking regularly regardless!

This is the first wheel bearing failure I can recall being posted about so quality of bearings is less likely than poor maintenance (sorry 'Nard) and probable water ingress from power washing. There are lots of higher mileage SV's than 'Nard's out there so we'd have heard if the quality of the bearings was an issue imho

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