Need help

[Dieselman]

I'm changing the track on my 03, RX-1. Everything was going good until I tried to get the bearing off of the speedo side of the drive axle. Can anyone tell me if there's some trick to getting it off? I did take the set screw out and, it was replaced last year so, it can't really be too rusted. Any help would be greatly appreciated....

 

[03RX1-ER-LE]

There are two set screws in the bearing, then it should come right off!

 

[Len Todd]

Yep, If you didn't get the second one, you've been screwed!

Sometimes you can tap them in just a bit to loosen them. Or you can go underneath and tap with a hammer and small rod to tap them off. But, if you used anti-seize to install it last time, it will slide right off. Eh, ... after you loosen both set screws.

 

[Dieselman]

There was definitely only one set screw in it. There were holes for two but, only one srew was in them.

 

[03RX1-ER-LE]

There are two torx set screws, 90 degress apart from each other. Remove both fully and then when you have the lower drive sprocket off and slide the shaft left, you can tap off the bearing if needed.

 

[Len Todd]

Yah, we did not talk much about the sprocket having to be off. Good point!

 

[Dieselman]

Well, I tried everything I could think of and still no luck. I was beating on it while heating it with a torch and it still wouldn't budge. I'm pretty sure that someone used loctite on it when they put it together the last time. I'm going looking for a gear puller today. I'll give that a try. Thanks again for all the suggestions.

 

[03RX1-ER-LE]

Since there is no location on your profile, it is impossible for anyone to come by and help out if needed. Sometimes a fresh pair of eyes can help out what you may be overlooking. I would come by if you were in my area. I have replaced this bearing many times on my sleds over the years on several different brands of sleds (john deere, chaparal, artic crap, phazer, v-max and all three of my RX1's) and have never seen one that stuck on. Unless the bearing siezed up and spun on the shaft which the inner race has now welded itself to the shaft, it should come off. Over the 30+ years of working on cars I have seen this on wheel bearings, which required a cutting torch to remove the inner race. Of course if really bad the spinde/shaft required replacement. If you can move the shaft to the left far enough to get the bearing clear of the tunnel, heat the inner bearing race near both set screw holes and if you have some bees wax let it melt into the holes and around race to see if it will slide off. This works well on frozen bolts.

 

[yox185]

Well, I tried everything I could think of and still no luck. I was beating on it while heating it with a torch and it still wouldn't budge. I'm pretty sure that someone used loctite on it when they put it together the last time. I'm going looking for a gear puller today. I'll give that a try. Thanks again for all the suggestions.

Break the outer race off with a hammer then carefully score the inner with a cutoff tool. The races are hardened so after scoring it you should be able to break the inner race with hammer. Worked for me many times.

 

[RX1Jim]

This bearing can be a real pain to remove. I have removed stuck/stubborn bearings and bolts by heating the bearing then quenching it with a good penetrating oil. Be careful to not overheat the shaft to the point where you start melting the hub on the driver closest to the bearing. Keep a fire extiguisher close by when ever using a torch. If you an get a bearing puller around the outside race, thet should do the trick. Be sure not to mess up the thread for the bolt whch holds the speedo sensor on. If you strat getting to "heated", take breake and let the penetrating oild do its job. Once you get the bearing off, polish up the shaft with emory paper and install the new bearing with a coating of antisieze lube. It won't be so stubborn next time it has to come off. Good luck!!

 

[Dieselman]

Thanks everyone for your help. I did get a cheap gear puller and, it came right off. I'm not really sure what the problem was, there didn't appear to be any loctite on it?? Anyway, thanks again for all the suggestions. This site is great!!!!!!

 

[rxrider]

Please add your location in your user profile, site requirement

rxrider
TY Staff