Steering head bearings

[brcree]

bearing

Nate: So far the bottom bearing still looks good. If I can get the bottom race out of the titless frame and back into the good frame I may be ok......the bearings are of the tapered kind.

[crazy steve]

Don't worry about matching these bearings and races; 99% of all problems with these are neglect/maltreatment/rust, not wear. If both parts look good after cleaning and move freely, repack 'em and go...

Same thing goes for the swingarm bearings.

[xssiveone]

Have question: I'm in the middle of repainting my frame and needed to replace the steering head bearings. I've gotten the races out but......how did you guys get the bottom bearing off the shaft?

As Nathan suggested, I used a Dremel cut off wheel. After you split the cage and remove it and the rollers, cut the race almost all the way thru and then place a chisel in the slot and give it a good whack. The race should split at that point.

[fredintoon]

As Nathan suggested, I used a Dremel cut off wheel. After you split the cage and remove it and the rollers, cut the race almost all the way thru and then place a chisel in the slot and give it a good whack. The race should split at that point.

Gawd Brian,
that's a load of effort! Put a cold chisel between the race and the tree and give it a mighty whack. Do the same the other side. Keep alternating. The race will work off like a stuck sliding window. The diameter that the race fits on is only mebbe a 1/4" long so it'll soon be free.

[CaptonZap]

And now is the time to buy some more tools.

http://http://www.autozone.com/autoz...itter/_/N-26pw

And if you can swing it, that means you need a press. If SWMBO nixes that, some all thread and some Unistrut can be made to work. CZ

[xssiveone]

Gawd Brian,
that's a load of effort! Put a cold chisel between the race and the tree and give it a mighty whack. Do the same the other side. Keep alternating. The race will work off like a stuck sliding window. The diameter that the race fits on is only mebbe a 1/4" long so it'll soon be free.

Fred, you are correct... a lot of work, but it did work. I didn't think we could "see" enough of the race to get a chisel on it. Will have to keep this in mind if I ever have to do this again.. sounds easier then the Dremel wheel.

[MaximPhil]

Hi Brian,
Don't force it.... use a BIGGER Hammer
Good to see you are working on an XS11
Phil

[jetmechmarty]

+1. What he said.

[natemoen]

I broke a few chisels doing it freds/phils way...

Cut it off, way easier.

[petejw]

jat, if u do go the way of using a chisel and hammer
throw a rag over the bearing, ive seen bearings shatter
and its usually not a pretty site.

[brcree]

bearings

Whooooweeeeee!!!!!! Got it! You guys are great! I managed to get both races out of the old frame. Put them in the other frame....all bearings look good as do the races!!!!! Saved 45 bucks on new bearings as-well!

[natemoen]

I thought we were talking about getting it off the lower triple tree. Boy I am confused...

[brcree]

bearings....

I was trying to get the bottom bearing off. After looking at it and seeing it was ok....why go through the trouble? I didn't think I could get the old races out of the other frame but did. Good thread...got me to thinking.