Re-use neck bearings?
Thread Starter
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Road Captain
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 646
Likes: 16
From: South FL
Re-use neck bearings?
Got my bike torn apart getting ready to send my fork lowers and trees to Joe at Powder Pro. I bought new neck bearings with the intention of replacing them. Unfortunately, the tools to remove and install the races are expensive (to me). Don't really want to drop the money on something I'll use once or twice. I'm wondering if anyone has left them in place and reused the bearings? My bike only has 14,000 miles. The races look decent, you can tell where the bearings spend most of their time but major damage going on.
Another option is to install new bearings in the old race. Is that possible? I'm thinking with 14k miles it's probably not a big deal to re-use but maybe you guys could help me out.
One last thing.... The lower neck bearing slid right off the triple tree stem. I thought it was going to have to be pulled off and a new one pressed on. Does that seem right?
Thanks for the help! I'll post some pictures when it's done.
Another option is to install new bearings in the old race. Is that possible? I'm thinking with 14k miles it's probably not a big deal to re-use but maybe you guys could help me out.
One last thing.... The lower neck bearing slid right off the triple tree stem. I thought it was going to have to be pulled off and a new one pressed on. Does that seem right?
Thanks for the help! I'll post some pictures when it's done.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,212
Likes: 212
At 14k, you'd be fine to leave the OEM bearings there. Just repack them with grease. As long as you don't let the front end get loose and start knocking the bearings, they should have a fairly long service life.
Thread Starter
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Road Captain
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 646
Likes: 16
From: South FL
I don't have access to a welder but I did read that in some other posts. Thanks for the tip!
Has anyone done this with loaner tools from advanced auto parts? I think I could get it to come out with a three prong slide hammer puller. Then maybe I could press the new races in with a bearing install tool.
Anyone?
Has anyone done this with loaner tools from advanced auto parts? I think I could get it to come out with a three prong slide hammer puller. Then maybe I could press the new races in with a bearing install tool.
Anyone?
Thread Starter
|
Road Captain
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 646
Likes: 16
From: South FL
I don't have access to a welder but I did read that in some other posts. Thanks for the tip!
Has anyone done this with loaner tools from advanced auto parts? I think I could get it to come out with a three prong slide hammer puller. Then maybe I could press the new races in with a bearing install tool.
Anyone?
Has anyone done this with loaner tools from advanced auto parts? I think I could get it to come out with a three prong slide hammer puller. Then maybe I could press the new races in with a bearing install tool.
Anyone?
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Thread Starter
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Road Captain
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 646
Likes: 16
From: South FL
I was able to get the races out using a little trick i found on youtube and a big hammer lol. Now, could i just drive the new races in the frame using the old race and even taping around the perimeter to ensure it seats evenly? I was also considering just making my own bearing race tool with hardware from McMaster-carr.
Any thoughts?
Any thoughts?
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Thread Starter
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Road Captain
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 646
Likes: 16
From: South FL
I've got the triple trees ready to send to you but I''m trying to get my dust seal covers off my fork lowers. I started using a screw driver and they didn't budge. I've got a brass punch on order to try to get them off. Any advise on how to get those things off?