Tool invention needed?

[kelpaso1]

Ok so today I'm changing the rear axle bearings on a customers ATV. One side, the balls are completely gone and has been riding on just the inner and outer races only (for a while by the looks of it). I advised the customer that with the bearing disintegrated like that, the only thing holding the axle and hub/wheel from sliding out of the axle tube was the disk brake caliper

So on to the problem. Getting the races out of the axle tube and axle. I usually use a die grinder with a cut off wheel on the inner race on the axle. But the outer race in the axle tube causes some problems. Not much of a lip on the outer race to punch it out from the backside. I usually tackle this by using a carbide burr in my die grinder and groove a slot in the race to get it loose and out but is time consuming. Wish I could use a cut off wheel in there instead, but it wont fit in there of course.

Would be nice if there was some type of linear motion abrasive cutter out there. Think like a chainsaw with an abrasive "chain" but small. Body saws or recirp saws wont cut hardened races. Anyone have any good ideas dealing with this common problem?

 

[NeuseRvrRat]

linear motion abrasive cutter

like an electric band file?

i guess that probably wouldn't be faster than the carbide burr either, though

 

[ironmutt]

http://www.harborfreight.com/rear-axle-bearing-puller-set-66380.html how bout this would it help

 

[kelpaso1]

http://www.harborfreight.com/rear-axle-bearing-puller-set-66380.html how bout this would it help

Actually I used these when I worked in the automotive field and they work slick. I totally forgot about them. I'll have to see if they are on amazon as HF will not let canadians order from them WTF??

 

[G_P]

Any way to grab them and knock em out with a slide hammer?

 

[rlitman]

Actually I used these when I worked in the automotive field and they work slick. I totally forgot about them. I'll have to see if they are on amazon as HF will not let canadians order from them WTF??

I thought Princess Tire was almost the exact same thing as HF but in Canada. See if they have the same tool.

 

[kelpaso1]

I thought Princess Tire was almost the exact same thing as HF but in Canada. See if they have the same tool.

You mean Canadian Auto?

Actually I ordered these from amazon. Free shipping, be here Mon

http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B000NICERQ/?tag=atomicindus04-20

 

[Ruger_556]

Run a weld around the inside of the race, it'll shrink when it cools down. Then pop it out with a slide hammer. Not the easiest thing with a small diameter axle tube though...

 

[pilotman81]

Run a weld around the inside of the race, it'll shrink when it cools down. Then pop it out with a slide hammer. Not the easiest thing with a small diameter axle tube though...

I have a buddy that will only remove races in this manner. I've seen him do it on dozens of different conical bearing races.

 

[mtnwalton]

Run a weld around the inside of the race, it'll shrink when it cools down. Then pop it out with a slide hammer. Not the easiest thing with a small diameter axle tube though...

+1....

 

[scw1991]

how about a Dremel with small abrasive cut-off disk. It may take a little time but it would be small enough to get in there.

 

[1950mercury]

Heat the housing with a torch and pull the race out

 

[bwringer]

how about a Dremel with small abrasive cut-off disk. It may take a little time but it would be small enough to get in there.

Make two curving opposite cuts (sort of like this: /\ )with a Dremel most of the way through the bearing race, then bang the slots with a chisel. The hard metal will crack, the piece between the cuts will often fall out, and the rest of the race comes out easily with the tension relieved. If you're careful not to go too deep, there's absolutely no damage to the frame.

Welding also can work, but it's not the greatest idea in many applications -- welding can burn the paint or warp the bearing cup in the workpiece. If it's just a rusty axle, maybe you don't care. If it's something visible like a motorcycle frame, then you may need to be more careful.

 

[CJM8515]

Ive cut them before, it doesnt work well on some models.

Rocky mountain atv/mc sells a tool specifically for this. Its a slide hammer with different collets you can use. No idea how well it works however, but ive been eying it up for eons. THe HF tool looks slick too!

 

[fasteddie313]

Don't run your bearings until there is no lip left...

 

[Kracin]

torch... wet the inside of the axle tube or stuff a piece of fiberglass in it so you don't set grease on fire (if theres any left).

heat the bearing up quick with a lot of direct heat, spray it with a mist of water while its red hot. the sucker will shrink real quick and pull right out.

 

[Ed ke6bnl]

I have a buddy that will only remove races in this manner. I've seen him do it on dozens of different conical bearing races.

3RD it ***

 

[Milton Shaw]

A trick I used on GM rear axle bearings with C clips was to remove the other axle and then use a piece of 1/2 pipe and drive the bearing out from the other side. I would get a helper to use a hook pry bar to keep the pipe against the bearing. I started doing this after spending hours with a slide hammer puller and not getting anywhere. The pipe trick works if you have to remove the differential center shaft to get the clips out. That stuck bearing came out with about three taps of a hammer from the other side after spending all that time with a slide hammer. 7 foot piece of 1/2 black pipe was less than $10 when I started doing this.

 

[bigredcornhead]

I have a two jaw puller that came with my slide hammer, i just flip the jaws to pull from the inside out and slider hammer them out easy as pie. Just got done doing it as a matter of fact! GL

 

[rsanter]

There are already tools available,to do that

Mig welder. Run a weld on the race and when it cools it will shrink and pull out easily.

Die grinder with a grinding stone. Concentrate on one spot to weaken and when it gets thin enough the race will loose tension and come out easily.

Three jaw puller on slide hammer. Many three jaw pullers can be reversed to grab a ridge from the inside

Bob

 

[kelpaso1]

torch... wet the inside of the axle tube or stuff a piece of fiberglass in it so you don't set grease on fire (if theres any left).

heat the bearing up quick with a lot of direct heat, spray it with a mist of water while its red hot. the sucker will shrink real quick and pull right out.

I used this method and as stated they slid right out

Actually was looking around and saw this:



http://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0011O4WSU/?tag=atomicindus04-20

This is what I was thinking of when I first posted. Guess it's already been invented. This would work even better if the guard was removed and use a worn down cutting disk. You could get into tight areas as small as 1 inch