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Author Topic: Main bearing removal  (Read 3736 times)

Hugh Conway

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Main bearing removal
« on: August 15, 2014, 11:23:21 PM »
Anyone have any good tips on remove/replace the original sleeve type main bearings on a 6/1?
I foolishly thought that if I removed the aligning screw on the housing top, the bearing would be a light drive removal.......not so.
A few hours of careful and arduous cutting got one of the bearings out, and i am not looking forward to the removal of the other one.
There's gotta be an easier way!
And replacing?
BTW, the oil thrower rings were staked onto the crank and were also a PITA to remove without damaging them too much.
Thanks for any advice.
Cheers,
Hugh
JKson 6/1  (Utterpower PMG ) Off-grid
Lister 6/1 Start-O-Matic engine......running with PMG
1978 Royal Enfield (glutton for punishment by Indian iron)
1963 BMW R-27 project

Hugh Conway

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Re: Main bearing removal
« Reply #1 on: August 22, 2014, 09:13:32 PM »
Well, looks like I will have to answer my own question. They had to be replaced.

The obvious way to remove the sleeve type main bearings is to use a big hydraulic press.......maybe I could have used my log splitter.........

Since we are out here in back of beyond, with no machine shop is at hand, had to come up with something out of what is lying around the workshop.
 For a field expedient method, I used:
Lots of patience.
A long bit of 1 inch threaded rod.
Timber washers and nuts.
PVC sleeve inside the bearings to prevent damage and centre the threaded rod.
Various bits of pipe and spacers.
A big crescent wrench and a long pipe for leverage.
Much sweat and a few colourful words.

I did get the other one out in a safer manner than the first method (cutting), and got them both back into and seated into the carriers.
There are surely other, and probably easier ways to do this, but no-one was forthcoming with advice.

My advice would be to use a press if at all possible, this was not a fun job!
Cheers,
Hugh


JKson 6/1  (Utterpower PMG ) Off-grid
Lister 6/1 Start-O-Matic engine......running with PMG
1978 Royal Enfield (glutton for punishment by Indian iron)
1963 BMW R-27 project

M61hops

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Re: Main bearing removal
« Reply #2 on: August 22, 2014, 10:22:20 PM »
Congratulations!  When I was in high school I had a job doing construction work.  One of the first pieces of advice my boss gave me was when I asked him how do do a little framing job.  He said "the best way to do the job is the way that gets it done".  That advice still helps me get started sometimes  ;D !               Leland
I pray everyday giving thanks that I have one of the "fun" mental disorders!