Axle Trouble

[Mitchell]

Hi Folks I am looking for some advice from anyone with an opinion or experience. I stared to disassemble the right rear axel of my Big Foot to replace the outer bearing, but I didn’t get very far. The inner bearing is seized to the axel making it impossible to remove the axel from the machine. I have tried hammering the end of the axel, using Kano penetrating oil, and a gear/bearing puller (see pic) all to no avail. If anyone has faced this problem before or can suggest some way to get this bearing loose, I would much appreciate the advice Thanks.

[Bazooo guy]

Make sure all the set screws are out.
A.bit of heat on the collar does wonders but don't burn anything.
Tighten the puller and apply a bit of heat and it should pop.
Don't get it red hot.the bearing will probably need to be replaced.
Don't hammer the shaft or it could mushroom and make things worse.

[swamp donkey]

I'm with bazoo heat it up it should pop off be sure to keep pressure on your puller

[North Country Tough]

Mitchell my own method requires safety goggles,take a ball pean hammer and bust the bearing by striking it,its hardened and will crack and break off,clear the debris and put the inner race against a piece of steel and whack it,it will crack and come off easy,maybe not for everybody but it works for me every time and takes out some aggression while Iam at it.N.C.T

[Dan67]

I had the exact same problem last night on my Conquest, but is was the #2 axle from the front on the right side. Bearing seized on axle, soaked it with BPBlaster. Attached Harbour Freight Gear/Bearing Puller14 Piece Set and got busy on it. Need to oil the threaded rod and with a wrench slowly tightened it down. Take your time and it will come off. I've used it on my Hustler rebuild when I had several seized bearings. Every time I had to use it it got the bearing off but destroyed it in the process.

[plott hound]

+1 on the pb blaster,soak it then leave overnight.hit with hammer next day and bruise shin when it comes flying out.

[Old Tucker]

I have been replacing bearings for years. If you are not wanting to save it and cannot get it off. First make sure the screws are out. Then if it do,s not come off the fastest way is with a hammer long drift punch. One good hit on the outer race and it falls apart. Remove the balls. And you should be able to get the axle out and work on it. Thats is about the fastest way. It will not hurt the axle.
Or you could fight with a puller I would prefer to be the the drivers seat having fun.

[Bazooo guy]

Mitchell my own method requires safety goggles,take a ball pean hammer and bust the bearing by striking it,its hardened and will crack and break off

I wrap a rag around it first to contain the shrapnel.

[Old Tucker]

So do I. Because it will fly in all directions

[gearhead1937]

I wrap a rag around it first to contain the shrapnel.

Doh, just got done tearing down my attex and never thought of the rag... got ball bearings and chunks all over the shop. Sometimes it the simple things....

[lewis]

Another way to remove these stubborn parts are a 90 degree air grinder with a cut blade. Two cuts and tap with hammer bearing outer is remove.

To prevent axles damage cut inner race very close to axle and most of the time the inner race will just snap into.

Another solution is to just cut the axle. They are not that expensive. Reciprocating saw will do the job nicely.

Once done, ENSURE you put anti-sieze on the new parts to prevent this occurrence again.

While all this cutting is going on use a wet rag to shield plastic parts from heat.

Hope this helps.

The best thing i have found to do is pre-soak all parts a day or so ahead of starting project. This seems to prevent a lot of the problems of removing parts.

[Mitchell]

Hurray!! I just managed to get the bearing off the shaft. I used a little bit of all your advice: oil soak, heating and hammering. In the end, the extra large gear/bearing puller I was using (pic above) finally broke the outer race off (without much mess or flying debris). I was then able to put a much smaller puller on the inner race, and on the second try: a resounding pop. I thought for a moment I broke a jaw on the puller, but to my relief, the race broke free. Thanks for all your advice and experience. It gave me a lot of options to work with. I have a second bearing to do, and you all gave me the confidence to tackle that next.

[Bazooo guy]

Glad to hear it worked for you.
The second one should be easy cause now you know what to expect.