Topic: Help me with this, please.

[stereosilence]

I cannot figure out how to get this bearing in. I remember it being really tough to punch out. Is there a trick? It is holding me up from reassembling my engine.

[MoMo]

Have you tried putting the bearing in the freezer, then heating the case?...Larry

[bollingball]

You can use the old bearing as a driver. Make sure you do not hit on the inner part of it or it is toast. Some PVC pipe the size of the outer race works good.

Ken

[Vinhead1957]

Second the freeze bearing heat case!   Use physics it works.   My wife loves parts in the oven ; )

[stereosilence]

I tried the freezer thing. Maybe I didn't heat it enough. I wasn't sure how much to bang on it. I guess I'll try it again. I couldn't find any other threads on this. Is this not a common problem? The manual just says to replace it or something like that without a mention of it being really tough to fit back in.

[w1sa]

Double/triple check the bearing size/specs against the original bearing/oem specs,  before trying to force fit into the case........heated case and frozen bearing should go together with little/no effort....

[trueblue]

A steady hand and a punch made of MILD steel, a small piece of round bar will work fine, don't use a pin punch, they are hardened and will chip the bearing.  Only hit on the outer race and push it in square, by the look of your picture you have it cocked one way a little.  If it is only slightly cocked it will jam up and won't move.  A little patience and finesse and it will go in easily, but remember work it so it goes in square, don't keep hitting on one side .

[bollingball]

If it is cocked find the spot sticking out the most and tap on that spot only until it is even all the way around I have a bearing driver set next best I like and still use a little is a 1in OD stick of brass round stock you can get a 3ft. stick at a hardware store and cut many sizes.
Ken

[MoMo]

a brass mallet is a good addition to your tool box...Larry

[Kenzo1979]

Man, i remember driving this bearing in, too.  What a PIA!  Take all of the input everyone provided.  Definitely get a friend to help.  This may seem like common sense, but turn the engine case on its side and drive the bearing down, don't try to drift it in sideways.  Patience will be tested here.  I think i used a piece of wood cut to the same size of the bearing and a piece of 1" black iron pipe with a 1 1/2 or 2" bell adapter (reducer) on it and a mini sledge.  Hit it dead center and don't let it cock to one side like everyone else said.  Once it starts going in straight, hit it like a man, it's a tight fit.  There's a pic of this in my 500 rebuild pics at my gallery.  Good luck!

[trueblue]

If it is cocked find the spot sticking out the most and tap on that spot only until it is even all the way around I have a bearing driver set next best I like and still use a little is a 1in OD stick of brass round stock you can get a 3ft. stick at a hardware store and cut many sizes.
Ken

I don't use brass around bearings, it work hardens on the end and flakes off right into the bearing.  Then you end up with bits of brass in your bearing which isn't good.  Mild steel is nice and soft and doesn't flake like brass

[stereosilence]

Sounds good. I had to over come the timidity with the swing arm bushings. Ended up putting my back into it with the 4 lb. hammer and it worked. I just want to gather as much advice as I can before doing something that might ruin anything.

[lucky]

Put bearing in the freezer.
Leave engine case at room temp.

Spray with lubricant.


I am assuming you have measured the hole and the bearing outside diameter.

[DJ_AX]

With all bearings & races I've found ...
It's usually a matter of keeping it straight.
Even a little bit cockeyed and it'll stick.
(looks that way in your picture)
This is where the patience comes in.
Don't ever just pound... you shouldn't need to.
Start with the lightest taps all around.
And just keep on tapping round and round.
It should go right in.


And if it does go crooked it has likely damaged the inner diameters surface.
Then you must pull it out, smooth it out, and start over.

[754]

 FineThread Bolt, nut, a few washers...suckitrightinthere
Pull on outer part of bearing.. Warming case like they said will help.