- This topic has 2 replies, 3 voices, and was last updated 21 years ago by
.
- Posts
Does anyone have a trick method to remove bearings from a front wheel without damaging the bearing ?
It is very hard to remove the first bearing with out damage if the press fit is very tight. The only way to get the frist one out is to take a punch and from the opposite side, tap against the inner race to knock it out. The second bearing is much easier now that one bearing is out of the way and you can get an arbor on it to press it out.
I would not remove them unless you were intending to replace them. The best way to install the new ones is with an arbor press and an arbor.
The trick I’ve heard a number of times is to heat the wheel in a moderate oven (I guess around 200 degrees) for 15 minutes or so. The theory is that the aluminum or magnesium wheel expands with heat more than the steel bearings, hence there is no longer a friction fit and the bearings fall right out.
Now I’ve tried this a couple times with no success (though I suspect that I was then able to drive the bearings out with a punch easier than if I hadn’t done the heat trick). Maybe it’s just me, or maybe I didn’t heat them enough? :idn:
The other half of the trick is to put the bearings in the freezer while the wheels are in the oven. They will then literally fall into place. I’ve had better luck with this part. The only caution is not to dilly-dally around when dropping them in, because the hot wheel will very quickly warm up the bearing–resulting in them getting “stuck” halfway in. Not a big deal, because then all you need to do is press them the rest of the way in just like you would have anyway.
Oh, and don’t forget to remove the valve stem before sticking the wheels in the oven!! And it’s probably wise to do this when the Better Half isn’t in the house, because those delicate feminine noses seem to notice a certain aroma when baking wheels! 👿
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.