Welding a bearing out .

Eagleview · May 8, 2009

This may be of interest to those who may not know how to get a rusted or damaged bearing out , especially if they don't have a puller to use .
First , you must drive a stout center punch in between the rollers to break the inner race (Wear protective gear and stand behind the object if possible to avoid missiles) . Once the inner race , cage and balls/rollers are out , it's time to get the welder out . Start at the bottom of the outer race and weld as far as you can , turn the part if possible and continue the weld until you arrive back at the start (dont touch the objects bore with the rod). Quench the weld with water if you can as this helps break the rust . Once it's cooled it will have shrunk quite a bit and will now come out easily with a bit of a pry .

mjncad · May 8, 2009

Interesting technique Iron Horse. Those rusted bearings could be buffed up and sold as high quality Chinese bearings.

ptplumer · May 8, 2009

I have used this at work many times. You dont even haev to quench it to get it to work. ANother trick to reinstall the bearing is to place it in the freezer for a couple hours while you are beating the old one out. That will allow the new bearing to shrink enough that you should be able to set it in, provided you do it relatively quickly. I have also baked bearings out of my motor for my dirt bike by placing the block in an oven at 350deg. Dont let your wife, or mine, hear of you doing this though. It will make the kitchen smell like grease!

Scooby074 · May 8, 2009

Its a great trick. Ive used it lots.

Its also a good lesson to people who weld. Its a great example of how much a welded area can contract, so you know why you should use proper heat and techniques to avoid warpage/shrinkage.

rdbrumfield · May 9, 2009

Here is one for roller bearings and ball bearings when they can't be held together. Use a liberal amount of grease and hold in front of a propane valve. freeze them and it will give you time to put them way back in an area unreachable anyother way. Usually you don't need this, but it is a handy trick if ever needed.