Replacing wheel bearings in old Powermatic 14 inch bandsaw?
I have an old Powermatic 043 that came to me rather cheaply. I should have expected to do some work. I’m in my 3rd day of taking things apart, ordering new parts and putting things together again. I’m down to the upper wheel bearing that is in desperate need of new bearings. The whistle you hear when its running could break glass.
After a bit of research I found the correct replacements for the bearing, for the life of me I can’t see how to remove the old ones. Here are 2 bearings that support the wheel, there’s a retaining clip behind each bearing. There’s a gap in between the bearings and I can see the retaining clips. I can’t use a press to push the bearings out one end, I don’t think I can reach the reach the retaining clips to remove those.
The only thing I can think of is to use a punch and hit the bearing through the inside. I saw a suggesting of using a dowel, I’ve completely shredded 4 sections of oak dowel trying it. Anyone have any experience or ideas?
Thanks
Replies
bearing puller?
https://www.amazon.com/CNWOOAIVE-Extractor-Internal-External-Motorcycle/dp/B08JGJVVDV/ref=asc_df_B08JGJVVDV/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=532546161982&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=11372921785183732586&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9003302&hvtargid=pla-1035880453619&psc=1&mcid=daef29634e3f3220b03294b94da29b99&gclid=Cj0KCQiAy9msBhD0ARIsANbk0A_pLw_dWf1fUe89OX4ue4Bq6hwgkMdJfdOi9x2bYM7Jxs_hAjU6wtsaAqMFEALw_wcB
That could do it. Absolutely worth it to try. Thanks!
My wheel bearing experience is limited to numerous motorcycle wheel bearings so ymmv. Chances are the c clip is retaking the bearing against flange and will need to be removed as that will be the direction out. You can use a blind bearing remover, which is a split cylinder and rod with what looks like flat blade is drive into. Otherwise a brass drift and tap out working gently in a circle to ensure you don’t damage the outer wheel surface where the bearing seats. You can try heating the hub to make extraction easier. Freeze the new bearing for a few hours and it should tap in fairly easily.
Lots of you tube videos out there for motorcycle bearing removal which is fundamentally the same.
First the c-clips have to come out. The bearing is pressed into the housing...otherwise the outer race would spin. After removing the clips if you can get to the back side of the bearing find a socket that fits the diameter of the outer race and tap it out with a hammer. If all else fails it may have to come out in pieces.
Sorry, my mechanic chops are very rusty. The C-clips are both behind the bearings. Is there a tool that allows you to remove the c-clip without taking at least one bearing first?
Thanks
OK. I took a closer look at the drawing and you are correct. It makes no sense that they are on the inside except that maybe they are used as spacers rather than retainers. I would use the 2 socket trick. Stand up a large socket on your workbench that fits the flange where the red arrow is...it needs to be big enough that the bearings will fall into the center of it. Use another socket that fits the outer race of the bearing and using a hammer tap them out. I see no other reason for the clips other than spacers to spread the bearings apart.
There are 2 bearings with a gap in between. The c-clips are preventing the bearings from moving too far inside the cavity. Without the clips it would be extremely difficult to press fit without pushing them too far.
“[Deleted]”
When I have had questions about my PowerMatic tools, I called up PowerMatic and they were quite helpful. Wait time was a bit on the long side. Might be another way to go.
thanks everyone for the sage council and advise. I have succeeded in removing the bearings with a bearing puller tool from amazon. It took a few tries and some very creative cursing but its all good now.