Date:         Sun, 23 Dec 2001 17:34:30 EST
Reply-To:     Cotsford@AOL.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Steve Cotsford <Cotsford@AOL.COM>
Subject:      Removing bad bearing races
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

A good way to remove a bad race that you cant get off a spindle is as
follows:

Dismantle the bearing as far as possible, remove cage etc to expose the inner
race.
With a dremel tool or similar grinder, cut a groove across the race.
Take a cold chisel and hammer and give the race a good whack in the groove.
The race will crack across the groove and spring open a little and from then
on it will be a piece of cake to remove.

The steels that bearings are made of are very hard and consequently brittle.
Cutting a groove across a race creates a weak spot and provides a place for
the chisel to bite.

Good Luck,     Steve Cotsford