NEED HELP PLEASE!!! Removal of Idler Wheel Bearing

[Mrsteak21]

First off, thanks in advance for responding. I used the search function, but couldn’t find what I was looking for.

Long story short, I broke a control road on the back suspension and need to get the idler wheel assembly and bearing off to replace it. I have removed the plastic idler wheel, but the dang bearing will not come. Ive tried heating it with a blowtorch, banging on it with a hammer/block of wood, etc. Either the bearing is fused/rusted on the shaft or I am completely missing something.

Ive talked to a couple dealerships and they instructed me to do the same things as listed above – they did recommend an air hammer but I do not have one. Any thoughts or tricks to getting the bearing off the shaft (without ruining the shaft)?

I have pictures on a slideshow on youtube - http://youtu.be/6a9gjqyXCaI

Thanks in advance!!!

 

[YammyRX1]

Soak in penetrating oil for a day (several applications) and try again with heat, hammer, etc. Cool the shaft with wet rags after heating the bearing.

Last resort is die grinder with cut-off wheel. That should get through it fairly quickly.

 

[yamahas]

Did you try a bearing puller?

 

[Mrsteak21]

Did you try a bearing puller?

No i did not, not even 100% sure what that is. Ill look into it.

 

[Mrsteak21]

This sounds like a common issue though, so i am guessing I am on the right path.

 

[smalltownpower]

isnt it just held on with a 14mm bolt? thats all we had to do with our vectors when we had to service the control rod.

 

[Mrsteak21]

there is a 14 mm bolt on the end, then a sleeve - both of those are removed. i took the snap ring off of the idler wheel and it is now removed. now only the bearing remains and i do not see anything holding it onto the shaft.

 

[smalltownpower]

the shaft, or wheel stand off should also be attached with that 14mm bolt. the stand off should come off allowing you to put the bearing in a vice, or work on the bench.

 

[Mrsteak21]

the shaft, or wheel stand off should also be attached with that 14mm bolt. the stand off should come off allowing you to put the bearing in a vice, or work on the bench.

Not sure if you looked at the pictures in the youtube link i provided, but there are a handful more of bolts you would need to remove to get the shaft out. it is attached to the mono shock among other things.

 

[smalltownpower]

whoops sorry, in that case i'd soak it with pb blaster or a good quality penetrating lubicant. try to get to the back of it with a chisel and 5 pound hammer if possible, unless you want to save this bearing, then i wouldnt do that. if that does not work cut it off, cut the outer race in 2 halves, then on an angle like this / cut the iner race almost all the way through, then hit the cut with a sharp chisel. bearings are hardened steel, so it should crack, once it cracks it will come off.

 

[Crewchief47]

You're probably just going to keep fighting it until you pull the skid, tear it down and use a press to remove the bearing. I recall one of my previous no-action skids taking a heck of alot of psi to get that wheel bearing off.

 

[BOUNTYHUNTER]

Pull the skid and press it off...BUTT...

if you have a small steering wheel or bearing puller....like this... it will come right off

The worst you would have to load it...heat it a bit and then remove it

 

[Redbeard]

That's good ol' fashion steel mated to aluminum that sits for 10 months out of the year.

If you use a puller, thread a bolt inoto the shaft so you don't damage it. Also, use steel wool or a Scotch Brite pad to scour the shaft before you pull.

However you get the bearing off, you may discover the bearing has spun and ruined the shaft.

 

[Mrsteak21]

Thanks to all for your replies. I am going to pickup a bearing puller and see if that does the trick. I will lube it up and heat it again prior to trying. Hoping that the shaft isnt (or will be) ruined.

On a side note, would riding it with only 1 control rod further damage the suspension? I have the standard suspension and 121" track. The control rod is on backorder right now and im itching to go out.

 

[yox185]

cut it off, cut the outer race in 2 halves, then on an angle like this / cut the iner race almost all the way through, then hit the cut with a sharp chisel. bearings are hardened steel, so it should crack, once it cracks it will come off.

What he said....