Triumphrat

Smokin' Joe · 11-24-2012, 09:07 AM

I'm starting my winter work on my 77 T140v, and found that the steering bearings are badly in need of replacement. They were tapered roller type at one time, but the bottom one was nothing but a few rollers and LOTS of rust.

The bottom race is toast, and there's no way to get anything on it to drive/pull it out. There's also very little race visible to work with on the top. There is a good bit of metal visible that is either a machined landing, or maybe the spacers in the parts book. I don't have parts yet to compare.

Can someone clear this up for me? I don't want to start beating on things and end up with a bigger problem!

Thanks

DAVE M · 11-24-2012, 11:23 AM

http://classicbike.biz/Triumph/Repai...hop-Manual.pdf

Have you got the forks right off?

you should be able to punch the bearings out from the other end

Smokin' Joe · 11-24-2012, 11:33 AM

Yes, front end completely disassembled. Not enough race left to get a punch on.

DAVE M · 11-24-2012, 12:59 PM

You could try an expanding rawl type bolt.

Tighten it up so it grips the inner, where the fork stam would be, and whack the bolt from side to side, or use a tube on it like a slide hammer?

TBS · 11-24-2012, 01:14 PM

carefully cut it in two with a dremel.

JohnA · 11-24-2012, 07:36 PM

tbs'S SOLUTION WORKS IF YOU'RE VERY CAREFUL - HAD TO DO THIS ON A BIKE ONCE. lATER, FACED WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, i HAD A FRIEND WELD A BAR (JUST AN OLD BOLT THE RIGHT LENGTH) ACROSS THE OUTER RACE SO i HAD SOMETHING TO BASH. wORKED A TREAT, BUT DOES DEPEND ON EITHER HAVING WELDING GEAR AND KNOWING HOW TO USE IT, OR HAVING A FRIEND WHO DOES!

Sorry for capital letter shouting - only just noticed.

Rubone · 11-25-2012, 12:28 AM

Run a bead of weld on the face of the race, all the way around. When the race cools it will fall out on its own, no punches or pullers necessary.
Robbie

wolfwolf · 11-25-2012, 08:15 AM

Rubone has the answer, worked for me!

Tiger Dale · 11-25-2012, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rubone

Run a bead of weld on the face of the race, all the way around. When the race cools it will fall out on its own, no punches or pullers necessary.
Robbie

Nice

Smokin' Joe · 11-29-2012, 07:51 PM

Thanks to all for the responses. I've read about the welding trick for rusted races on boat trailers. I'm concerned that the heat might distort the tube and cause the new bearings not to seat properly. Maybe I'm paranoid, but I can't replace the frame easily. I thought of the dremel idea, and got a couple of dental diamond bits. I think I'll have a go with it this weekend. Supposed to be warm here. so I won't have to heat the garage...