Help - removing lower steering race

[tri650]

I am in the middle of taking apart my front end and am replacing the steering bearings and can't get the lower race out of the head tube. It has two small notches but I can't get anything to work to pry it loose. I bought a thin and long punch but that did not work - actually bent the punch. Any suggestions?

[natemoen]

I have heard people have trouble with that race but mine came out pretty easy with a long punch.

[Shacknasty]

I have seen the notches used to hold two small prybars. Perhaps you could find or make some to fit.

[MaximPhil]

I watched mine cut out with a Dremel tool. Be very careful with sharp tools
Phil

[Rasputin]

Use a long punch. Insert it through the top of the head tube and land it in one of the notches you see. Drive one side then go to the notch on the other side and give it a shot. Working one side then the other should get it out.

[b.walker5]

Gentle and even tapping with a long pin punch through those notches is usually enough. It's important that you do it evenly, i.e. 1 tap one side, 1 tap the other. It needs to come out straight, skew it sideways and it will jam, and possibly damage the stem.

That said, they can be complete bstards to get out. As mentioned, a careful cut with a dremel will do the trick, as will running a bead of weld with a mig around the circumference of the race, and letting it cool. Once the weld shrinks the thing will likely just drop out.

[tri650]

I've been using a long punch but have basically destroyed the tip - this race is just not moving. I am guessing it has not been touched in 33 years. I'll keep working it but will probably move to the dremel soon.

[natemoen]

If you don't mind repainting you could put a little heat to the outside is the neck.

Also if the punch is ruined as a regular punch take it to the beach grinder and reshape the head to better fit the slot in the neck, don't heat the punch up to much at once though or else it will get to soft.

[MrOzz]

Spray some PB Blaster down the neck. Let it soak for 15 min. That should help free the bearing race from the neck.

Ozz

[crazedfooter]

on my gs i took a long screwdriver and bent some angles into it to get at the race better.

[tri650]

Finally done!!

After about 4 hours I finally got this SOB out. I used about 10 different punches, screwdrivers, etc., to try and tap it out. No success. I kept bending or gouging whatever I used. Tried a dremel to try and cut through it - no success. I then kept heating it up and tapping it hard with a punch. After an hour of this it finally came out. Quite an adventure. I probably invested $40 in punches and dremel cutting wheels. Oh well, its out and the new races are in. Now I need to figure out how to get the lower bearings on the steering stem.

[b.walker5]

Pleased you finally got it out, but i'm suprised the Dremel didnt do the job, normally, if having to resort to it, a cut across the bearing face would be all that was needed.
Hopefully you didnt have too put much heat on the stem.

[BA80]

After about 4 hours I finally got this SOB out. I used about 10 different punches, screwdrivers, etc., to try and tap it out. No success. I kept bending or gouging whatever I used. Tried a dremel to try and cut through it - no success. I then kept heating it up and tapping it hard with a punch. After an hour of this it finally came out. Quite an adventure. I probably invested $40 in punches and dremel cutting wheels. Oh well, its out and the new races are in. Now I need to figure out how to get the lower bearings on the steering stem.

BTDT...