Topic: Wheel bearing removal

[seebee7fiftee]

Hello everyone,

I have been trying to get the retainer off of my rear wheel with no luck. I have scoured the forums as well as the rest of the internet and am still at a stand still. I got the retainer off of the front wheel (though it now looks like a metal cornflake.....tore it up pretty bad) but am having a heck of a time with the rear. Can anyone recommend any type of shop that I could take the drum in to have the retainer and bearings removed. Not looking for specific shops just ideas of what type of shop wheel, machine shop etc. unless anyone knows of a place near Evansville, IN. Forgot to mention that I broke the bolts off my vice trying to remove it.

Thanks, Grant

[MCRider]

There are several threads on the issue, I know searches are sometimes difficult. Go to "home" on the blue bar above before doing a search.

In the meantime, I'll tell you all you need to know as its not really hard. I learned the hard way by destroying a hub before finding what i needed...here!

FIRST, you MUST drill out the "stake" marks. The little dimples you see punched into the area wher the trheads from the retainer mesh with the hub. At least 2 spots 180 deg apart, usually 4. Get a drill bit slightly larger than the stake, drill down abourt a 1/4 in or so. The stake is punched in at the facrtory, distorting the threads and acting as a lock on the retainer.

Then you need a "pin" wrench. These are available but usually pricey, many of us here have made our own in 10 minutes and less than $5. Mine is a flat bar strap of aluminum 1' wideand 24" long. Drill 2 holes in it, in the middle, the holes spaced the same as the pin cartches in the retainer. Thread a short bolt in each, secure with a nut, leave about 4-5 threads exposed to engage in the retainer. With the stakes drilled the retainer will turn easily.

Once its out, you'll punch the bearings out from their opposite sides with a punch or drift. Keep the old bearing to drive the new one in. There's a few more details let us know when you're this far along.


Here's mine about 1/2 way down this thread page.
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=57974.msg804511#msg804511

Or this one.
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=40052.0
Ignore the first wooden one and scroll towards the end where i discuss the metal strap, new and improved.

[MCRider]

And oh yeah, what bike? One of the retainers on the 500/550 is a reverse thread. All the 750s are standard rt hand threads.

[seebee7fiftee]

Thanks for the info, ill drill out the stakes. I am worried that the front hub is now ruined. I think that the retainer took the brunt of the damage on its threads but I might have damaged the hubs threads as well. I have a wrench that came with a hand held grinder that fits the holes perfectly on the rear wheel, hopefully that will be good enough after I drill out the stakes otherwise I will make a tool like yours.

Thanks again,

Grant

[seebee7fiftee]

also, is the retainer on the outside of the damper housing the same as the retainer on the inside of it? I am still struggling with the outside one.