Topic: Steering Bearing Races - How long in the freezer?

[Bristledisk]

I'm replacing the steering bearings on my 75 CB550K. How long should I leave the races in the freezer prior to installation?

Thanks in advance.

[bryanj]

I dont they aint that tight a fit

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

Or maybe overnight unless you're in a bigger hurry then put them in a zip lock and bury in your ice bin for a couple hours

[slikwilli420]

I have yet to freeze stem races for installation. I bought a cheap bearing race driver set and it always sets them right with a few well placed hammer blows. The key is cleanliness of both the race and the bearing cup in the neck. I do a VERY light smear of grease on the race before sending it home just to keep things sliding nicely.

[pjlogue]

Overnight in a ziplok bag.  As Slikwilli420 said, be sure everything is spotless and check for burrs in the neck area.  Once you start, make sure you drive them straight in. 

-P.

[Bristledisk]

Thanks for the advice. They are now in the freezer

[alacrity]

Overnight in the freezer. Then Clean the seats as indicated. I also take another step and get the neck hot.  I use a propane torch (carefully) if I am in a bit of a hurry, or a good heat gun is good too. You can get a little swelling there long before you get into paint melting, but you CAN burn/melt the frame paint if you go too long. With the big temp diff between bearing and neck, it will almost just plop into place.. Set it level, then a couple Quick taps with the bearing driver and voila.

[rotortiller]

I don't waste freezer time, I use this instead. Parts shrink more due to the lower temperature and thus fit easier. 

[Stev-o]

Never had to freeze them.

Did you read "The tapered bearings" thread?


http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?reportsent;topic=1516.msg10716#msg10716

[BenelliSEI]

I always freeze them and use a “paint stripper” gun to heat the area. They usually drop in....... this works any where you have to press in a bearing. In our race car, u usually put hubs in the oven for twenty minutes at 200F and freeze bearings, makes the job a real easy one......

[Alan F.]

I froze mine first time, never have in the nearly dozen times since. My timing isn't good enough to make use of the advantage it gives.

[MauiK3]

If you really want to freeze a race do this:
Go get some dry ice and isopropyl alcohol, put enough alcohol in a metal container to cover the race by a good amount, drop the dry ice in and wait until the alcohol is looking like clear honey, it’s pretty cool and is actually very cold, do not touch it, use thick gloves.
Drop the race in and wait a few minutes, it will rattle into the seat.
I agree, I never needed to shrink the races but this is a method to get them really cold.
You can play with it after you are done, like freeze a flower.
Remember, don’t touch it, you will get frost bite.
Dry ice gives off co2, be in a well ventilated area.

[ekpent]

Never had to freeze them.

Did you read "The tapered bearings" thread?


http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?reportsent;topic=1516.msg10716#msg10716

+1 - no freezer where I do it thank god. Spend all my time eating ice cream !!

[Bristledisk]

The upper race went in no problem after freezing overnight and a few taps with the race driver. The new upper race sits proud about 2.5mm (0.098") above the neck compared with the old race which sat about 1mm below the neck. I believe, I read in another steering race thread, that this is expected as the new All Balls upper race is taller. 

[Alan F.]

The upper race is taller.

I agree.