Steering head bearing removal

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elk

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Jan 13, 2009
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I'm trying to remove the steering head bearings on my 73 Commando prior to sending the frame out for powder coating and not having much luck. I've managed to push the spacer off to one side and get a drift onto the inside edge of the lower bearing (from the top of the frame). Hammering on that hasn't budged the bearing, even when I applied heat. Is there a trick to getting these out? Bigger hammer? More heat?

Thanks,
Bill
 
I've always been able to get them out with a long steel dowel. For the bottom race, I insert the dowel from the top and catch the lip of the bearing race and gently tap it while I work the dowel around the bearing. Obviously, the race will tend to 'cock' as you tap it out so you have to tap on opposite ends until it drops out. I've never had to apply heat. Removal of the top race is done the opposite way by inserting from the bottom.
 
If you have an arc welder you can put a couple of small beads on them and when they cool they will fall out.
 
Thanks guys. I got the bearings out by moving the drift around to different sides. It was slow going, but it eventually came out.

--Bill
 
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