Topic: Well I just broke a new set of steering bearings!

[ridered67]

  Dang!  I was trying to tap my new lower roller bearing over the steering stem and I broke the bearing!  The metal cracked on the inner race.  Its toast!  $70 down the drain.

I was being as gentle as I could but I had to use some force to drive the bearing down. I was using a steel punch and hammer. Anyone got any tricks?  Is there a special tool?  Im going to order a set of all balls bearings and I really dont want to break a second bearing!

Another question. Is there anywhere I can buy just the lower bearing?  My top bearing is still good and theres no need for me to have a spare at this time

Thanks guys!

[Tews19]

70 bucks? What do you have and where did you get them from?

I just changed out to tapered bearings for my 550F. Cost me 36 bucks....  All balls...... Great customer support. If you go this route, freeze the triple for a day, then heat up the bearings at 190 degrees for 30 min... Mine was a piece of cake. It was ahrder removing the old races... 

[Toxic]

A steel punch is the last thing you want to use.  It puts too much pressure on a small pinpoint area.
You want to distribute the force of the impact around the edge of the bearing as evenly as you can.

Take your replacement bearing to Home Depot and find a  second of pipe that you can use to drive it home.  I used a small section of black plastic PVC pipe cut to length.  I can't remember the exact diameter.

Sorry about your busted bearing, that sucks

+1 on Tews heat and freeze method

[seanbarney41]

I took my old races and welded 'em to a scrap piece of exhaust pipe to make a handy dandy driver tool...

[ridered67]

Allright thanks for the tips!  I ordered the bearings 6 months ago and i just checked the reciept..... They were actually $47.  I dont know where I came up with $70. Time to order some new bearings....

[CycleRanger]

I use a  PVC pipe fitting with the unused thick washer that comes with the All Balls kit.
I keep a small collection of PVC fittings for driving other bearings like the wheel bearings as well.

[BobbyR]

I think you have it backwards. When installing races and bearings you freeze the bearing parts and heat the part you are installing them into. The bearings and races contract from the cold, the part you are putting them into expands with the heat.
Then you drive them in by placing with the old parts on top of the new parts so the pressure is equal around the new bearing to avoid cracking it. 

[bollingball]

BobbyR think about it

http://www.servicehondapsn.com/fiche_section_detail.asp?section=125711&category=MOTORCYCLES&make=HONDA&year=1978&fveh=2993

are you not driving these on a shaft?

                                   Ken

[BobbyR]

Ken, you are correct you will need some heat on the bearing and the PVC. I stand corrected.

[ZanVooden]

No need to freeze the stem for an entire day, an hour works just fine. Its not that big of a piece of metal and its not getting any colder after that.

But yes, a large washer and a section of pvc and an engineers hammer is all it takes.

[Freaky1]

PVC pipe and some MAP gas, I heated up the race (but not too much because I didn't want to jack the rubber seal at the bottom) slipped a washer on top and tapped the PVC and she slipped right on. I would think you could just get a replacement race and not need to buy a whole new kit, but I could be wrong.

[fmctm1sw]

I used PVC pipe as well..

[Tews19]

I use a  PVC pipe fitting with the unused thick washer that comes with the All Balls kit.
I keep a small collection of PVC fittings for driving other bearings like the wheel bearings as well.

I used PVC after seeing your post cycleranger

[trueblue]

A steel punch is the last thing you want to use.  It puts too much pressure on a small pinpoint area.
You want to distribute the force of the impact around the edge of the bearing as evenly as you can.

There is nothing wrong with using a steel punch to install bearings on one condition, it must be mild steel, not a hardened steel pin punch, I use this method at least once a week. Usually though when installing a bearing over a shaft I use a piece of steel pipe it spreads the load evenly and allows you to push the bearing on evenly.

[ridered67]

Thanks for everyones replies.  I was in a rush last night when i was trying to assemble the steering stem. Its my fault that the bearing broke and its a lesson learned. When I get my new bearings ill drive them home with some pvc

[754]

 Usding a punch can cock the bearing, putting more stress on it, sometimes.
 I some cases when using a used part to drive the new one in place you have to relieve the used oned so Z does not get stuck, I know of other applications where it is necessary.