Lower Bearing On Tripple tree Removal

[jmlcolorado]

Just as the title says.

I am wanting to get my fork clamps powdercoated but im not sure how to remove the lower neck bearing from the stem. Its a pressed on system and im afraid that a shop press grabbing on the outside of the bearing will render it useless.

Are these a remove and replace type of thing?

Thanks folks

 

[jmlcolorado]

Anybody try the freezer/heat method? Im thinking freeze the whole thing, then apply heat to the bearing to expand it and try to pry it off. Still feel like im going down the wrong path though.

 

[rapidray]

Yes, anytime you remove a steering BOTTOM bearing, you replace it. Ray.

 

[jmlcolorado]

Yes, anytime you remove a steering BOTTOM bearing, you replace it. Ray.

I was afraid of that. well thanks for the fast reply

Ill just cut the thing off then i suppose.

 

[SqDancerLynn1]

If they are original they probably need replacement anyway !! Your can sometimes pick up a set on ebay or check with allballsracing.com - they are the big supplier of bearing kits

 

[ukilme]

Agreed with everyone that you need to replace it. Plus, it is not really a big deal as you have it apart. I would have done it anyways.

What I did to remove the bearing, was used two dull chisels and wedge them up by placing one under the bearing and tapping hard with a hammer. Then work you way around it. Once the bearing has moved up a little I would use both chisels.

Just be careful not to hit the stem to hard. I found this easier then cutting it.

 

[Baatfam]

Just did this...
First I used a dremel with a cut off wheel to cut the bearing cage and pried that off...(I understand you can just pry it off, but cutting it made it easy)
Then, with the dremel I cut a narrow groove in the inner race...
I did not cut all the way through, maybe 3/4 of the way through.
Then I put a chisel in the groove and gave it a couple of good whacks with a heavy hammer, (wear eye gear), and "ping" the bearing broke and slide right off...

 

[bonanzadave]

I paid a guy at a quad shop across the street $20 to remove mine.

 

[kta]

I think most shops will press out the entire stem to get the bearing off. Generally I just smash and pry until I can work them off. The DREMEL idea is brilliant, I'll do that next time.

I haven't had much luck with pullers in the past, but may not have used the right style.

The freezer method works GREAT for dropping a new bearing onto the shaft, but I don't put heat to a new bearing (or old one covered in grease). Heh.

 

[80GS1000]

Way easier to have a shop press it off for a few bucks and way less risk of damaging something soft and valuable like your lower triple tree. It's fast enough an operation with a press that the shop might not even charge you - mine didn't.

 

[bonanzadave]

I like the hackery and big hammer methods but the risk of damage is worth considering. Could a resourceful guy make a puller ? With a pipe and a long bolt on top threaded into a cap. And 3-4 bolts tapped into the bottom to grab the race. Crank the top bolt in and on to the top of the stem and it should pull the lwr race up.......I think. Or just cut the damn thing off.

 

[waltfen]

I used the dremel method, quick and easy.

 

[landshark]

Grab a stick welder and run a bead around the cone, we are talking about getting the cone out arent we?

 

[Guest]

I was afraid of that. well thanks for the fast reply

Ill just cut the thing off then i suppose.

Just did my first one last Fall... initially brought the stem to a shop but they couldn't press it off. They were afraid of breaking it.

So I used the dremmel "cut off" method... worked great, but take your time and don't cut all the way through as Baatfam said.

I kept cutting a groove deeper & deeper in the inner race & then whacked it with a metal chisel. Once the ring snaps, the bearing race slides right off.

I replaced all the steering stem bearing with a set from AllBalls. I actually bought them through the local Honda dealer here - I looked up the set number I needed on line at AllBalls, & started calling around to the various shops. Quite inexpensive actually, something like $30 for the set.

I put the stem in the freezer overnight (I think Bonanzadave planted that idea in my head) and then used an iron pipe (slid down the stem) to drive the bearing home. Use some grease on the stem to help the bearing seat down.

Good luck,

mike