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steering bearings and their housing

Posted: Sat Feb 11, 2023 11:12 am
by pioppiny_81
hi guys
just finished to disassemble the outer rings of steer bearings from the bike frame, it's been a journey to hell!!
I was originally intending to make myself a tool like the one from Cycle Works but my friends laughed at me saying there was no need, so I convinced myself that I was too fussy...
Tried with their slightly curved steel bars shaped like chisels beating from underneath the rings, but there is no space or slot to place the tool in and beat with the hammer so the result is this:
IMG_20230211_170517.jpg
IMG_20230211_170517.jpg (1.1 MiB) Viewed 1030 times
now I have to lower all the metal burrs that I raised by tapping on the inner edge...

the question is:
Do you think it would be useful to create two slots for a future disassembly?
like this
IMG_20230211_171132.jpg
IMG_20230211_171132.jpg (1.12 MiB) Viewed 1030 times

Re: steering bearings and their housing

Posted: Sat Feb 11, 2023 5:41 pm
by gspd
pioppiny_81 wrote: Sat Feb 11, 2023 11:12 am Do you think it would be useful to create two slots for a future disassembly?
whats your life expectancy?
They should be good for about half a million miles if you keep them well lubed and correctly adjusted.

Re: steering bearings and their housing

Posted: Sun Feb 12, 2023 5:01 am
by Rob Frankham
There is a simple trick to get the head ourer bearings out (and swing arm bearings... any taper roller bearings really). Simply use a mig welder and run a bead of weld round the bearing face. The bearing will the be loose in the housing so that it can be removed with the minimum of persuasion. Often it will just lift out. I've done it numerous times and it always works well. No damage to the housing or modifications.

Rob

Re: steering bearings and their housing

Posted: Sun Feb 12, 2023 1:04 pm
by pioppiny_81
message received: no slots :lol:
Actually the old bearings lasted 40 years...

Re: steering bearings and their housing

Posted: Sun Feb 12, 2023 1:08 pm
by pioppiny_81
Rob Frankham wrote: Sun Feb 12, 2023 5:01 am Simply use a mig welder and run a bead of weld round the bearing face. The bearing will the be loose in the housing
great advice Rob, I'll keep it in mind for next time, tanks

Re: steering bearings and their housing

Posted: Sun Feb 12, 2023 11:01 pm
by Jeff in W.C.
pioppiny_81 wrote: Sat Feb 11, 2023 11:12 am I was originally intending to make myself a tool like the one from Cycle Works but my friends laughed at me saying there was no need, so I convinced myself that I was too fussy...
Tried with their slightly curved steel bars shaped like chisels beating from underneath the rings, but there is no space or slot to place the tool in and beat with the hammer so the result is this:
My experience with DIY jobs/tasks is to be willing to get the appropriate tools. While others with experience doing certain tasks can make do with less than ideal tools, those doing things for the first time really need the appropriate tools to get the job done right. I don’t mind spending a little (or sometimes a lot) for tools when I’m not paying for labor, and for tools I’ll most likely use again. Trying to learn to do a job/task without the appropriate tools can be quite frustrating—at least it is for me.