scott123007 said:
Wow Eric, I've never seen that before, (although that is not a blind hole bearing puller) and it looks like it would work great. Just curious though, I see the slot in the top of the tool, but it doesn't look like it is very deep. How does it wedge the tool open?
IDK, between having to buy a complete set of these things to have whatever size you need, then heat the bearing up, and probably freeze the tool just to get it set just right, I think I'll just do it with a drift like I've done it hundreds of times before, with never a problem.
The slotted part of the tool is exactly the right size to fit into the ID of the bearing. It won't work if it's not the correct size. Pound the rod so the wedge tip goes into the slot and it doesn't need to spread the tool very much to be securely into the tool, but remember that the slot is on the inside, the rod going thru from the opposite side, so as you pound the rod, it's pushing the bearing out, but maintaining that spreading force as you do so. Heat is important for any bearing removal to make things easier, though many times you can do it w/o heat. I never used to use heat in the past, but the tolerances on some modern motorcycle wheels makes it a real bear to get an old bearing out w/o heat. You don't need to freeze the tool. I've frozen bushings and bearings prior to insertion, using dry ice, but that was industrial applications with different tolerances that required a tighter press fit. The heat is just expanding the wheel a bit faster than the steel bearing to ease removal.
As I said before, I just ordered the large rod and 22mm size end piece. The other sizes seemed to be ones I wouldn't use, and I don't need it very often. A $30 investment to have the right tool for the job seemed acceptable for me. And you've removed old wheel bearings from a modern Yamaha hundreds of times?
That spacer inside does not give you as much room to work with. You can move it aside, but until you get some room, you'll be fighting it every time you shift position with the drift. Just bookmark the link for the tool and when you get around to doing your wheel, remember it. You might change your mind after some colorful language in the garage.
I gave up on the wife's BMW and drove 140 miles to a dealer to have them remove the old bearing. Different size than the Yamaha and I beat on it pretty good with the drift, but it wouldn't budge w/o heat. They heated it up a
lot more than I dared to. My attempts had been with a commercial heat gun, they used the propane torch and really got it hot. Might not be as necessary with the Yamaha?
