Old Bearings Stuck!

[BoarderJSS]

Ok- so I have a bit of a problem and need some advice... I am replacing the old rear suspension linkage bearings that I blew out last season (finally). Two of the old outer races are stuck in the frame, as the inner races, balls, etc all crumbled and just fell out. I've read that I need a "blind hole" bearing puller to get those old races out. Anyone know of a shop that can do this (bike or any other kind)??? Desparately wanting to get my ride back in one piece and out on the trail... Thanks!

[2big2ride]

Depending on your situation, sometimes you can make a "puller" with a series of different size washers and some nuts bolt or all thread . If possible, soak the parts in some sort of solution that will not harm your parts. I have used "kroil" in the past to loosen frozen parts. Check out kano industries for that good stuff

http://www.kanolabs.com/

If you could take a few pics, that may help out and maybe more folks will chime in....

Good luck

[eloach]

I know a guy that had to buy a new rear triangle for his Trance under similar circumstances. The bearing points were trashed when he finally got the crumbled crap out. I am afraid to mess with mine after that story. The Reign has a similar configuration.

I am presuming you have a Reign, since your sig line list it. I have a Reign and a Trance and I like the Maestro, but it seems like they could have used a lot better bearings and pivots.

[BoarderJSS]

I fully agree... great quality bike, except they skimped on the bearings - low quality, too small, not a lot of protection.

There is a small gap behind the race. We're talking maybe 1-2mm. Too small/not enough angle to get a screwdriver or anything similar in with enough force, unfortunately.

[CountZero]

Would you mind posting a photo?

One of the problems, in general, with cartridge bearings on mountain bikes is that it's hard to fit large outside diameter cartridges in many pivot locations. So, multi-pivot frames often wind up with tiny skateboard cartridges in locations that really demand larger units.

The space constraints of VPP, Maestro, and DW are definitely a problem in most applications.

Ibis went against convention on their DW bike. The bearings are installed in the links instead of in the frame.

[BoarderJSS]

I'll definitely post some pictures when I get home this evening (granted none of the shops I'm calling have the tools to fix it).

[CountZero]

With a bit of old-fashioned american ingenuity... and probably a blow torch.

[DaveG]

With a bit of old-fashioned american ingenuity... and probably a blow torch.

With a Maverick you're probably a pro at replacing bearings ;)

[BoarderJSS]

Have been calling shops... the head wrench at Performance Tysons thinks he can do it. Crossing fingers...

[CountZero]

No offense to that guy, but there are people on this board with more practical experience, and advanced engineering degrees, than him.

Good luck, though.

Dave, that's a low blow you rotten bastard. Good thing I'm secure in my choice of ride. I'll have you know that I haven't had to replace a single Maverick cartridge bearing since the abnormally wet monsoon year of 2003. :)

[BoarderJSS]

Well seeing as how no one else was jumping up to help out, I'll let him give it a shot. Sorry to all for not posting pictures, but I dropped the triangle off last night on my way home from work. I'll try to get some pictures of the aftermath up when I get everything back. Thanks for the help, all!