Bearing Removal Tricks !

[MPH 12]

Anybody have any neat tricks for removing the old bearings from these mower spindles? Can they be pressed through from one end? Looks to me like the spacer in between them would only push on the inside race. thanks

[msiebern 0]

I usually just put them in a vice tightened up to where the inside of the bearing is supported but not gripping the spindle. Then I use a brass tool and hammer and they usually pop right off. You can screw a bolt in the top of the spindle with a washer to prevent damage and also keep the spindle from falling to the floor when the bearing lets go. Sometimes I will use a 3 jaw puller and impact wrench, but if it is really stuck, that will just pull off the outer race.:O A bearing puller would be ideal but this has worked for me.

[BLT 725]

When the pulley and key are off, use a sacrifice nut to protect the threads, hold the arbor in one hand and beat smartly with a good hammer with the other hand on the nutted side. It will move and maybe take the opposite bearing with it.

[firefoxz1 4]

If you have the shaft out already, I use an old shaft as a punch to drive them out of the housing, the spacer will push off to the side to allow you to hit on the inner race then just work your way around the bearing. Sometimes I have to knock the spacer to the side with the shaft if it's really wedged between the two bearings. The bearings have to come out the end closest to where they are located as one side should have little detents to keep the bearing from being pushed in to far.

[John_RI 8]

I don't remember for sure but I don't think they can be pushed through. I think they need to come out from the end they're in. There has to be some sort of shoulders or stops in there or the whole set-up (bearings and spindle) would be free to walk around. I've done some pretty dumb things with a hydraulic press trying to press things out of things. In the end I can't believe how stupid I was not to realize how it was put together!

[MPH 12]

Thanks guys, after I went and took a crack at doing it I remembered this post and felt really stupid for even asking as they came out no problem by punching one out first, then the other. I knocked the shafts out before I removed them fron the deck with a nut on top. That worked good because I didn't need to hold them. All clean and ready for paint now.