Removing cartridge bearings

[Sci Teach]

I'm looking to remove and replace the sealed cartridge bearings in the suspension on my Giant AC. Does anybody have any helpful hints of getting the old ones out (relatively) easily? I've got the correct replacements from Giant....just want to do the job right.
Special tools? Anti-sieze compound?

I'd rather not use the big hammer technique...and I'd like to learn to do this myself.

Thanks for the help!

John

[C.P.]

Cartridge Bearing Remover - get it at one of my favorite shops - Bikeman.

http://www.bikeman.com/miva/merchant.mv?&Screen=PROD&Product_Code=TL8900&Categ ory_Code=TLSLUBETOOLMISC

I've used a home-made tool for pressing bearings(threaded rod - fine thread, washers/heavy duty locknuts), it's similar to headset press I've made - just smaller scale.
You can find an expensive cartridge bearing press from Bikeman - (like 160 bucks) but it's probably a good idea to either make your own tool or take the frame and a six pack of good brew to a LBS that has a press. Also, I've had luck with automotive machine shops - they could easily press the bearings in for short money/beer/what have you.

C.P.

[Sci Teach]

Thanks for the reply! Yeah, I've made my own threaded rod version of a bearing press, too. I'm sure that a heavy dose of anti-size and the press will work.

I am concerned about pushing the bearings out with pressure on just the inner race. Some of the bearing mounts don't have clearance enough to push the bearing out on the outer race....I'm a little scared of just pushing the inner race and bearings out and the outer race will still be suck in the frame.

I did pickup the $5 bearing press tool from Bikeman, too! it is meant to sit on the inner race...."lube u with anti sieze and give'em a good whack with a hammer" is what they said.....looks cool, but still afraid of leaving the outer race in place.

Propably just gonna have to give it a try I guess!!!!

[SloMoJo]

Hmm..timely.
I just noticed a little play in my bearing on todays lunch ride.
Ordered replacements from Titus.

How does that remover work Chris?

[C.P.]

Slomo - you have the locomoto, right?
here's a link:
http://www.titusti.com/loco_om.html#g

Looks like titus offers a solution with home tools. Just tap gently in a circle.

The cartridge puller I linked to looks like a pair of tweezers.
Insert the tweezers (closed)inside the lip of the bearing, and use them like a slide hammer, gently "over" inserting an inch or two, then pulling so that the tool "slide hammers" the bearing out. It shouldn't be a ton of force. If the bearing is stuck - seek LBS assistance...

[SloMoJo]

Thanks CP.
I had read those instructions before, but it looked too easy.

Took the bearings out last night. The pivot bolt was a real bugga. I dam near stripped it before it started to turn.
Once that was out the bearings just popped out. They are small bearings not really sealed to water and such.

I'm hoping the new ones arrive before Sunday. If not, I'll put the old ones back in, but it would be like putting old underwear back on. Yucky.

Yes, it does look like the home made press would work just fine.
Thanks
-SloMo

Ah crapski...just called Titus...They shipped em reg postal. Back in with the old bearings for this weekend. Rats.

[SloMoJo]

Here's a strange one.

After I put those "loose" bearings back in and tightened the pivot bolt there was no play anymore. Maybe the pivot bolt was loose in the first place, but I tried to tighten it and it would not budge.

2 rides later still no play.
Go figure?

SloMo,

That was not so yucky after all. Maybe you should try the old underwear thing too, just to be sure. :)