Steering bearing race removal?

[DarkStaR]

How hard is it to remove the lower bearing race from the lower triple.

Thinking about getting the triples powdercoated, and this is the one unknown for me.

TIA! 

[ducpainter]

It isn't that bad. I used a chisel and a hammer. Plan on replacing the bearing.

Be aware the washer under the bearing will take a beating. You can order a new one, or just pound the old one flat.

Have fun.

[DarkStaR]

Thanks DP! 

[scott_araujo]

Also, after you re-install ride 500 miles or so and then re-tighten the headset.  The bearings and races seat themselves and it can become a bit loose.  If you leave it loose they will wear out prematurely.

Scott

[junior varsity]

I'm going to do this sooner or later.

I saw a race removal tool on the DesmoTimes website. Might be handy.

As far as seating the new ones in... put 'em on the steering stem, and torque everything down and let them do the work themselves, or is it more complicated? (And by more complicated, I was thinking a long the lines of the low-tech 'freeze the bearing/heat the pressure plate' methodology.)

Do tell.

[scott_araujo]

http://www.garagenight.tv/ep-5-replacing-steering-head-bearings/

I liked this video.  Somewhere between having the nine special tools listed in the factory manual and having only a very large hammer lies the truth.

Scott

[Speeddog]

Lower bearing race is best installed by pressing it on.

You can do a heat/freeze deal, remember you're heating the bearing and freezing the stem for this installation.
But IMO the help from it is rather small, as both parts are steel.

You can do it with a piece of tubing and a hammer, as they mentioned in the video.

Do not hammer on the rollers or the cage.
That's the benefit of using a press or piece of tube, no chance of that.

[junior varsity]

as long as i don't have to put the frame into the freezer. that would be difficult.

[junior varsity]

and the wife wouldn't like it.

[uclabiker06]

I just took mine to speeddog and had him press it in.  Its a pretty integral part of the bike so make sure it gets done right.

[Desmo Demon]

For removing the bearing, I've cut off the cage and removed it and the bearings. Then I take a Dremel with a cutting wheel to the inner race of the bearing. If you cut the race in one spot, being careful to not nick the steering stem or the triple clamp, some races will break off the last little bit of the race from pressure. Other times, a mild hit with a hammer and chisel (or screwdriver) will break the race, and it can be simply slid off the stem.

For reinstalling the bearing, I just heat it up with a heat gun (or the oven), slide it over the stem, and then either use a piece of tubing slid over the stem to appy even force, or use a hammer and a punch and hit the inner race at the 12:00 position, then 6:00 position, then 3:00 position, and then 9:00 position and repeated until the race is bottomed out. When using this method, you have to think about moving the race a little at a time. Going for large movements with one hit will just cause it to bind and can cause the steering stem to get nicked and gouged.

As noted earlier, do not smack the cage or bearings!

[angler]

Just removed one today using an air hammer/chisel.  Go EASY at first.  It separates from the triple quite easily and then you can get under it.