Garage method for inner camshaft bearing removal : V-Twin Forum: Harley Davidson Forums

UnSafe · 10-25-2009, 04:39 PM

Coming up on my winter project of cam and tensioner replacement, as well as sending off for a 95 cu in bore job and head porting. I'm comfortable with the work, but would like to avoid loading up the whole mess into my truck and driving 40 miles to the closest indy shop to have the inner cam bearings pulled and new ones pressed in.

Anyone know of methods to pull and replace the bearings without the pullers/ press die & plate, like from George's garage or MoCo?

First, I don't want to damage the case, but from the looks of the tools, a DIY tool could be built. For the removal, would an Auto Zone loaner bearing removal tool work? And for the replacement, a piece of 3/8" flat plate, drilled to match the cover screw holes and bearing locations, weld a nut in the correct location and use a large diameter fine thread Gr 8 bolt as the press and an appropriate diameter socket (or old bearing) to fit the bearing?

Any experience or ideas appreciated.

HDMD88 · 10-25-2009, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UnSafe

Coming up on my winter project of cam and tensioner replacement, as well as sending off for a 95 cu in bore job and head porting. I'm comfortable with the work, but would like to avoid loading up the whole mess into my truck and driving 40 miles to the closest indy shop to have the inner cam bearings pulled and new ones pressed in.

Anyone know of methods to pull and replace the bearings without the pullers/ press die & plate, like from George's garage or MoCo?

First, I don't want to damage the case, but from the looks of the tools, a DIY tool could be built. For the removal, would an Auto Zone loaner bearing removal tool work? And for the replacement, a piecr of 3/8" flat plate, drilled to match the cover screw holes and bearing locations, weld a nut in the correct location and use a large diameter fine thread Gr 8 bolt as the press and an appropriate diameter socket (or old bearing) to fit the bearing?

Any experience or ideas appreciated.

Is there a reason your handle is UNSAFE....?.....

shovelmike · 10-25-2009, 05:11 PM

The Auto Zone loaner would most likely do the removal. A thick plate across the cam cover mounting face will get you started rigging up to do install but at right around $100 it was worth it to me to just buy the correct tool for the job rather than mess up the case.

UnSafe · 10-25-2009, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HDMD88

Is there a reason your handle is UNSAFE....?.....

A nickname earned gladly years ago, from an Air Force Crew Chief that demonstrated his lack of marbles when he whined about me climbing out onto the wind deflector of the troop door on a C-130 while spotting a tiny drop zone. Of 3 birds in trail, I put all of my guys and myself onto the DZ while the rest had to go around for another pass (Bad).

The name stuck...

Back O/T

Anyone got a diagram with measurements of the installer plate? I seriously think I can fab the installer part if I can get or measure the locations accurately. Of course, if it takes more than a day to create, it really won't save a day spent driving to OKC for help at a shop.

dymo · 10-25-2009, 07:14 PM

when i do my inner bearing last winter i rent the puller for $20.00 at my indy shop,and i press the new inner bearing in with the old bearing place on the cam and hit with a rubber mallet

kemo · 10-25-2009, 07:33 PM

Why not forget about making the tools. Buy them and then put them up for sale. I bought the tools but I am keeping them.

strokerjlk · 10-25-2009, 09:21 PM

here is some pics of the puller I made up.
your bearings are smaller than the 07 up so might be a little harder getting the puller reversed and inside. just used a homemade bearing installation tool that I turned down for something else at one time. it's a bearing it dosent matter how it gets out if your not using it again. and installing new one is the same it's a.... bearing just use some common sense, it's not as delicate as some make it out.
good luck take your time

Mike NY · 10-25-2009, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kemo

Why not forget about making the tools. Buy them and then put them up for sale. I bought the tools but I am keeping them.

That's exactly what I did. Bought both the Puller and Installer from Georges Garage. Sold them after I used them for about $50 less than what I paid.

Mike
NY

LoneEagle964 · 10-25-2009, 09:38 PM

lastnyear when I did mine I used one of these to pull old bearings http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=95987
and an old cam to install the new bearings lined them up and carefully tapped them in.

LoneEagle

strokerjlk · 10-25-2009, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LoneEagle964

lastnyear when I did mine I used one of these to pull old bearings http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=95987
and an old cam to install the new bearings lined them up and carefully tapped them in.

LoneEagle

good advice!

DR_DEUCE · 10-25-2009, 11:13 PM

Hey Unsafe. UNSAFE! here's why.. you can use anything to get the bearing out...but it might be unsafe. The CORRECT tool is made to PREVENT any of the bearing from falling into the case. If that happens, you'll have a much larger job. as stated above, rent the tool, or buy and resell.....
DON'T BE UNSAFE, UNSAFE!

UnSafe · 10-26-2009, 02:05 AM

Wow! Thanks for all of the ideas.
Y'all have reafirmed my faith and belief that garage mechanics can work through literally any problem. Being a new Harley owner and reading some of the replies on the various forms, I'd started to wonder if other owners had given up on the DIY spirit and just throw money at the dealerships.

Either the home modified or HF collet puller and using the old cam to reinstall the new bearings seems like the the way to me. Of course other, even more innovative ways may be shared here so I'll keep an open mind.

splitting_lanes · 10-26-2009, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LoneEagle964

lastnyear when I did mine I used one of these to pull old bearings http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=95987
and an old cam to install the new bearings lined them up and carefully tapped them in.

LoneEagle

I used the Harbor Freight tool to remove the bearing, and the back side of a socket with an extension to tap the bearing in.

jasilva · 10-26-2009, 04:36 PM

You could also be smart about this and buy the correct tool, use it and still sell when your done for most of what you paid for it. You'll probably wind up spending less than you will trying to make up a jury rig tool and have the piece of mind of knowing you installed the bearings correctly.

just sayin'

claydbal · 10-26-2009, 05:33 PM

unsafe, if you go this route, be sure and pack heavy grease in the bearing to pull, and install. washing the grease out with shop rag and carb cleaner after install. as stated, one dropped roller into the case and your day is ruined!if using old cam to install, freeze bearing, and use a flat washer on cam to seat bearing.

just an fyi.

ever thought about leaving a deposit and offering an indy $20 to rent the correct tools? beats splitting the cases. also, remember the bearings are directional on install.