Tips on removing the rear brake drum dished washer?

Bonzo · Apr 22, 2023

When I install my rear wheel and tighten it up, the wheel binds slightly.

Having done a search on here, I'd like to inspect the circlip (062090) to check it hasn't come loose and so causing the binding.

There is a dished retaining washer (063012) keeping it all in situ.

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Any tips on removing this retaining washer to gain access?

It seems to be a pressed fit - I don't think it screws in, and appears really tight. I'd prefer to get it off without destroying it as I haven't got a spare.

Maybe heat up the drum and get a tiny pick in the grooves?

*EDIT* It's an 850 mk2.

L.A.B. · Apr 22, 2023

First. Remove the bearing spacer. Once you have done that then you can get a screwdriver behind the dished washer and lever it out.

Norton Companion

Of and for Norton Motorcycles

www.doov.com

Bonzo · Apr 22, 2023

Ahh. Glad I asked.

Thanks very much Les

concours · Apr 22, 2023

I used a 1/16 drill to make a pocket in the flange, and the yanked it out with a cotter pin hook. (I was unable to wait for new parts.)

Tips on removing the rear brake drum dished washer?

L.A.B. · Apr 22, 2023

concours said:
I used a 1/16 drill to make a pocket in the flange, and the yanked it out with a cotter pin hook. (I was unable to wait for new parts.)

The 063012 dished washer should just lever out once the spacer has been removed and is reusable so I can't see the need to drill a "pocket" in it.

Bonzo · Apr 22, 2023

Nope. That bearing spacer aint budging

I'll ponder on it and see what tomorrow brings.

L.A.B. · Apr 22, 2023

Bonzo said:
Nope. That bearing spacer aint budging

Did you secure it in a vice as shown in the Doov picture and then try knocking the drum off the spacer?

Bonzo · Apr 22, 2023

I did, though the vice was poor to be fair.

I'll be taking the drum with me to visit a mate tomorrow. I haven't given up hope yet

L.A.B. · Apr 22, 2023

Bonzo said:
I did, though the vice was poor to be fair.

If the circlip did happen to be out of its groove then the bearing probably would have come out with the spacer.

Bonzo · Apr 22, 2023

Yes, good point.

marshg246 · Apr 22, 2023

Bonzo said:
Nope. That bearing spacer aint budging

I'll ponder on it and see what tomorrow brings.

Welcome to probably the hardest job on a Commando. In a perfect world they are a slip fit. When I install them I sand then until they are. If it has been in a long time and was pressed or hammered in, they can be a real bear to get out. More than once I've welded a slide hammer to it to get it out.

Time, IMHO, to consider a Don Pender one-piece rear axle and sealed bearings so you never have to contend with that again!

Shelby-Right · Apr 22, 2023

My wheel used to bind , after studying the parts drawing I found one shim washer missing , after adding that all ok now .

Bonzo · Apr 23, 2023

Shelby-Right said:
My wheel used to bind , after studying the parts drawing I found one shim washer missing , after adding that all ok now .

I can confirm that I have the shim washer #21 (067603) on the end of the dummy axle

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Fast Eddie · Apr 23, 2023

marshg246 said:
Time, IMHO, to consider a Don Pender one-piece rear axle and sealed bearings so you never have to contend with that again!

Yup. Just a better design. Fewer parts, fewer potential failures modes.

Bonzo · Apr 23, 2023

Fast Eddie said:
Yup. Just a better design. Fewer parts, fewer potential failures modes.

Yeah, may well go that way. I'm a paid up member of the MFC (Madass Fan Club)

robs ss · Apr 23, 2023

Don's single piece axle also makes rear wheel fitment much easier ( inserted from the left, that is )
Cheers

marshg246 · Apr 23, 2023

robs ss said:
Don's single piece axle also makes rear wheel fitment much easier ( inserted from the left, that is )
Cheers

Yes, and you still somewhat have the quickly detachable in that you can pull the axle part way, remove the timing side spacer and pull the wheel while leaving the brake hanging on the axle.

When putting in new cush rubbers much easier when you assemble the brake to the wheel and then put it all in a once.

jamesp · Apr 23, 2023

L.A.B. said:
First. Remove the bearing spacer. Once you have done that then you can get a screwdriver behind the dished washer and lever it out.

Norton Companion

Of and for Norton Motorcycles

www.doov.com

This method worked well for me. Although the protruding end of the bearing spacer looked short with not much to clamp vice on, jaws held and it came out with a few good taps. After removing clip, the remaining parts drifted out with moderate effort. Thank you for the tutorial.

Bonzo · Apr 23, 2023

Well, by way of an update, the 'doov' method didn't work for me, despite securing the use of a decent vice, as I just couldnt get enough purchase on the exposed end of the spacer.

I mentioned it to my mate, who has some tasty workshop tools at his disposal, who asked me to pop over with the drum as he had "just the thing Bonz!"

A heads up to anyone wishing to painlessly remove this blighter of a bearing spacer - get hold of a blind bearing puller with a slide hammer (around £25-£30 on eBay).

We found a 13mm to be just right..

And in about 4 seconds start to finish, it was out

And of course, it became instantly obvious that the circlip was still in situ and the 4023 bearing was smooth and in excellent shape...

Fast Eddie · Apr 23, 2023

Hope yer bought him a beer?

Gotta look after mates like that one !

Tips on removing the rear brake drum dished washer?

Bonzo