So im fitting the new tapered head race bearings. As i'm driving the new upper race into place its got to about 4mm from being flush and wont go any further.

Soloutions anyone?

 

Take it out and put it in the freezer for a few hours. Slides right in then.

 

I did freeze it before, Problem is that its pretty damned stuck now.

 

Well looks like you will just have to pound it in then. Grab a wooden or plastic hammer and give her hell. Getting the lower bearing on the bottom of the steering stem was the hardest part for me the races didn't put up as much of a fight.

 

I've managed to chip it doing just that. I'll try and get it out tomorrow morning cuz its too late to be messing about now. Will order another upper race later on today.

Was a nightmare for me to get the old bearing off the stem tbh. Not looking forward to getting the new one on there either. Its in the freezer so that should make it easier.

 

You chipped it using a plastic/wood hammer? or were you using a metal hammer? The bottom bearing didnt wanna come off for me either. I tore the bearing cage with the rollers off and used a cut off wheel to cut a slice out of the race and then hit it with a air hammer and it cracked in half and fell right off.

Did you put the lower bearing in the freezer or the lower triple and steering stem? You want the steering stem in the freezer so it shrinks slightly. I used a big piece of pipe wrapped in hockey stick grip tape at the bottom where it meets the bearing. Then i just raised the pipe up and kept slamming it down (like churning butter) and it slowly slid the bearing down onto the stem.

 

Metal hammer mate.

The stem is in the freezer now. Will go to BnQ tommorrow and get a piece of pipe. Seems to be the agreed way to get that bearing on tbh.

I ended up getting a heat gun on it to heat it up and it came off slightly easier then.

 

There's a good chance the reason you aren't going that last bit-the seat has gotten (ever-so-slightly) out of square to the hole.

I use some bearing grease to help ease it and then, a piece of 1/2" (or better yet 3/4") all-thread and some big washers/nuts. Spin a nut and washer on one end, insert through the head-mount add second washer and nut...tighten away. It will pull it down smoothly and square.

Driving them with a block and hammer will usually work, but if it binds you risk marring the head-stock.

Good luck, hope this helps, Ern

 

if your going to use a metal hammer at least use a wood block so you dont mess it up.