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
