14 bolt conversion to disc questions/options

[Asshat]

Originally Posted by kipps

If it were me, I wouldn't bother trying to pull those bearings, but would cut them out instead. A die grinder would take a while, but would be reasonably controlled, and likely less frustrating than trying to pull them.

Slice the cage with the die grinder, and remove the rollers. Cut through the outer race, trying to minimize contact with the axle housing. Once you've cut the outer race completely through, it should practically fall out.

But I've never done this on that particular axle. I only speak from experience with other bearings that need to be extracted from blind holes.

That may be an option, however, it seems a little more radical.

I'm on the fence about replacing the bearings, I just thought that since I was this deep in, I should maybe change them out.

That puller set from Harbor Freight still requires a slide hammer, so I still have to get one of those.
Geez - nothing is ever easy.

[kipps]

Originally Posted by Asshat

That may be an option, however, it seems a little more radical.

I'm on the fence about replacing the bearings, I just thought that since I was this deep in, I should maybe change them out.

That puller set from Harbor Freight still requires a slide hammer, so I still have to get one of those.
Geez - nothing is ever easy.

It is radical, but it works. I've never had any luck with a slide hammer.

If you're pulling the pumpkin anyway, it opens up another option. With the pumpkin out of the way, you could square the end of a piece of 1/2" rebar, and drive each bearing out from the opposite end of the axle.

I doubt it's possible to do this with the pumpkin in place, but it might be. This diagram shows one possible method using rebar. You'll need a second person to hold the rebar in place against the bearing with a large screwdriver.