1 Stubborn clutch arm bearings Wed Feb 01, 2012 11:09 am
sidecar paul
Life time member
I had the idea to replace the needle bearings in the clutch arm with a PTFE bush. I had a second hand arm available and yesterday attempted to remove the bearings. Despite getting it hot the bearings were solid in their housings and I ended up with the needles being driven out and the brittle outer flanges broken off.
So how do you remove a hardened steel bush against a shoulder in a blind hole?
Yesterday afternoon, after many attempts, I had got nowhere; but this morning I had a flash of inspiration. Using a diamond coated needle file I filed two grooves through the bearing outer races...... they are only about 20 thou thick and each groove took about 10 minutes. It was then an easy job to prise out the two halves.
Now I just have to figure out how to hold such an awkward shape to bore out the centre to fit a long PTFE bush.
Paul.
So how do you remove a hardened steel bush against a shoulder in a blind hole?
Yesterday afternoon, after many attempts, I had got nowhere; but this morning I had a flash of inspiration. Using a diamond coated needle file I filed two grooves through the bearing outer races...... they are only about 20 thou thick and each groove took about 10 minutes. It was then an easy job to prise out the two halves.
Now I just have to figure out how to hold such an awkward shape to bore out the centre to fit a long PTFE bush.
Paul.