Good morning all. I'm getting ready to press in a new Inner Primary Bearing in my '09 Ultra. When I pulled the old one out, the numbers were facing the clutch side. My manual states that the new one should be pressed in with the numbers "up". I'm not sure which way to go, especially since it talks about an extra snap ring that obviously has been eliminated. So, numbers facing clutch or facing transmission??????

Thanks
Russ

 

Not sure why but my guess is your original was wrong. You have the cover in the press with primary chain side down but the outer support hub of the bearing the actual supported area? Bearing. Then one snap ring installed and the two eyes of the ring straddling the oil drain hole? Then seal flush being sure lip marked oil side faces snap ring.. so letter this sidee go down. I hate it when some presses are upside down and the original are wrong.

 

Yes, pressing in the bearing, number side in first, snap ring aligned for oil hole, then seal with Oil side going in next to bearing.

 

I could not tell any difference in bearing faces like the thin wall inner cam bearing are. Can you?

 

I think post 3 of yours is worded wrong. I know it's a little confusing about side and what is written in relationship to the retainer ring as to bearing side in my 09 manual. Drawn correct, worded incorrect and then correct. Bearing goes in from transmission side and then retainer!!!

 

Yes, it's certainly clear as mud. I would think when installing the new bearing, you would "press" against the number side as that looks like the strongest side of the bearing. That would leave the numbers "up" or facing the transmission.

 

When I'm unsure of a particular procedure, I tend to look at the instruction sheets from a tool manufacturer. Take a look at the attached sheet for the Inner Primary Housing Bearing and Seal Remover and Installer Tool from Jims.
It looks like they are advising to press in from the pulley (transmission) side with the letter side of the bearing facing the puller. Maybe this will help.

 

Think some of the problem is is by 09, there is a shoulder stop and not two rings. Harley manual has right after removing bearing state this..
Installation
1. Inspect the bearing bore to verify that it is clean and
smooth. Install retaining ring in groove on pulley side of
primary chaincase.
2. Place primary chaincase in arbor press with the transmission
side up.
3. Support the bearing support area on the clutch side of the
primary chaincase.
NOTE
Support the bearing support area on clutch side while pressing

Then they correct themselves. My 2014 Tour manual is same words and pictures except that above is deleted from manual.

 

Yes, looking at the Jim's install tool, it states to put the bearing numbers toward the install tool when pressing in. That's the way I'll do it. Mine must have been in upside down. Wonder if that was part of the failure. More than likely though it was the original chain tensioner.