Help Removing Dust Cap

[zeebad1]

Does anyone have any suggestions on a good method to remove this dust cap, without damaging it, or welding something to it.........

I've never seen a design quite like this, and really don't understand their thinking. Here's a quote from the manufacturers website....

"has now developed a totally greaseless, virtually maintenance-free coulter

Has a "lubed-for-life" hub with a greaseless design and a special patented seal, which provides 7 barriers between the outside environment and the bearings inside (most hubs only have a lip seal), making bearing failure a thing of the past."

I have 195 of these running, or soon to be running, and have had 2 caps fall off, and 12 bearings loosen up.

I'm guessing there was an assembly issue with the ones that have loosened up, but I was informed that the caps cannot be removed without destroying them. They are sending me an installation tool for driving the caps on, but that will be fruitless if I can't get them out without damage.

I know that I could weld something to each cap, and use either a gear puller, or slide hammer to pop them out, but I would like to come up with some method that modification to the cap would not be necessary.

I thought about a knurled sleeve, that would clamp over the cap, but I'm afraid that it's tapered too much for anything to bite.

I also envisioned a "Posi lock" gear puller

with the fingers ground to a point that might dig into the cap enough to pull it out. I just don't know if I want to shell out $100.00, and not have it work.


Any thoughts would be appreciated. TIA

 

[rslaback]

I don't think you will get that out without damage. My suggestion would be to drill a hole in the center and use a slide hammer. Then install a manual rivet in the hole before you reinstall.

 

[trboxman]

order new caps to use with the installer that they're sending you...that's a no brainer...

 

[TennesseeZ]

order new caps to use with the installer that they're sending you...that's a no brainer...

X2 do this

 

[ddawg16]

Yep.....smack it with a BFH.....if you catch it just right, you can reuse the cap without any issues.....

Actually...they bump off pretty easy...I have never had to replace one.

 

[Highbeam]

Do you think a regular cap will fit once you remove that stupid internal type?

 

[koditten]

I would replace them with regular dust caps. How do you even adjust the bearing preload on something like that?

If that isn't and option, tack weld a nut to it and screw in a bolt when you need to remove it. Attach a slide hammer to the bolt. Pop it right off.

Can I ask what these are use on?

KO

 

[rockchucker]

Use a larger Rubber Faced Mallet and swipe across the side of it. It should pop off. You may have to work it off by hitting it from one side then the other or going around it until it comes off.

If they are exposed then once you do get them off just tack a little Eye to each one for easier removal later and so you don't have to replace the Caps every time you want to service the unit. You could even drill a small hole then use a threaded Eye with a Jam Nut on each side of the Cap. This way you could just hook them with a Slide Hammer and pop them right off. Or weld a small piece of Round Stock to the outside of the Cap for the Slide Hammer to grip on. You could use a Bodywork Stud Gun and zap a Pin on there real quick also that would be easily cut off then sanded down every time you needed to access them.

Rubber Mallet or Stud Gun and Slide Hammer. I know you don't want to weld anything to the cap but the Stud Gun would work really well for giving you something to grab on to that is easily removed with a Die Grinder or Wire Cutters.

 

[BD1]

Is this from a plow coutler ? This explains why I see the bottom half of a pop can and a hose clamp on the hub.

 

[Shadowdog500]

I agree with getting new ones, but if the caps are made of unobtanium, I may try a stud welder and a dent puller. When done (and if it works) you can grind the stud off.

Chris

 

[zeebad1]

Do you think a regular cap will fit once you remove that stupid internal type?

They are "regular" dust caps. Just buried inside the hub!

Can I ask what these are use on?
KO

Liquid fertilizer applicator. Very corrosive material, applied in a soil-filled environment.

Is this from a plow coulter ? This explains why I see the bottom half of a pop can and a hose clamp on the hub.

LOL, but really, POP?!?!



I'm kind of disappointed that someone hasn't come up with some magical clamping device, that will pop these right out.

Their "special" $80.00 "tool" used to reinstall them is a 4" long piece of exhaust tubing, with a heavy cap welded to one end. WOW!!

They sent me 6 new caps today, along with 4 bearing sets. They forgot to send seals, which are evidently the only component on this that is made of the elusive "unobtainium! No cross reference anywhere!!

 

[BD1]

Quote:
Originally Posted by BD1
Is this from a plow coulter ? This explains why I see the bottom half of a pop can and a hose clamp on the hub.
LOL, but really, POP?!?

Yes, pop can if more than one. If you use beer cans and have a 12 row your
working on you are gonna get shitf##ed !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 12 beers !