Tri Z steering head bearing removal

[retiredmxer]

How in the world do I get the lower steering head bearing off the bolt that connects the two triple clamps?

I pulled the triples off the frame and removed the upper bearing. There is still a needle type bearing sitting at the bottom of the bolt right on top of the bottom triple. Anyone know how to remove that? I'd like to replace it if possible.

Thanks for any help!

Blake

[MTS]

a press is the proper way to do it, i have used a oxy acetylene torch, but you gotta be good, not to nick the shaft, you need a torch or a welder to get the race outa the neck for it too,

[Dirtcrasher]

If I saw it I could tell ya, but sometimes a tiny dremel cutoff wheel has to be used.

Or a wedge type puller (usually for main bearings) with longer studs can be used on lower tripples/steering stems.

And yes, HEAT is a very good friend of mine :D

[tecat-z]

Use a big shop press to push stem out of lower tree. Support lower tree as close as possible to press fit to reduce tree deflection. But allow enough room for stem to pass as it drops through. Bearing will simply fall off top when stem is past taper. Place tree in press as it would be installed on bike, and a bit of heat around stem area on tree will help get things moving. Many times they 'hold' pretty tight them BAM! Heat new bearing slightly and make sure journal is perfectly clean. It will drop on after stem is pressed back on. 10 minute job with the correct press........

[retiredmxer]

Thanks for all the replies..I'll see what I can do. It sucks, but I might have to take this to a shop to have done...oh well

[DeePa]

i just take a dremel and cut the race abit. then take a punch and hit the race on the cut and it usually breaks and you just slide it off. dont make it harder then it should be by pressing everything and its mother around

[volfan537240]

Use a big shop press to push stem out of lower tree. Support lower tree as close as possible to press fit to reduce tree deflection. But allow enough room for stem to pass as it drops through. Bearing will simply fall off top when stem is past taper. Place tree in press as it would be installed on bike, and a bit of heat around stem area on tree will help get things moving. Many times they 'hold' pretty tight them BAM! Heat new bearing slightly and make sure journal is perfectly clean. It will drop on after stem is pressed back on. 10 minute job with the correct press........

i had this same question because i want to remove the stem and bearing to polish the lower tree. so the stem gets pressed out from the top?