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Thinking of having a full suss frame painted,is there any dark art to installing new bearings or is it a simple task?
Anything to be weary of ?
Depends on the frame tbh. Some can be fiddly.
All I'd say is that if you're removing the bearings purely to paint the frame (Which you have to do) then don't expect to re-use them once it's done. You'll most probably knacker some of them at least getting them out. Just have a new set ready to go in. 🙂
It's usually not that hard to press them out with a selection of sockets as and a vice as a press.
Horst link bearings tend to need pulling out though, and can't pre pressed out from the back. There are bodge-able tools for this that can be made out of expanding wall bolts tough.
I've just stripped down my bike ready to be painted as well and had a right nightmare of removing the bearings, none of the outward facing faces were flat, all different angles with different things in the way. Ended up bodging it with threaded bar and sockets and then varying washer lengths to fill around the odd edges. Looking forward to put them back in (new ones) as itll be a heck of a lot easier! Really depends on the frame I think as to how well the manufacturers thought about it!
Putting them in after painting should be fine for home
Removing them first can be a pain but does depend on the frame
The exspanding raw bolt is a great tip.
Also useing hot water to heat the frame a little an help
Another thing to bear in mind- fitting bearings isn't really hard, but, if you've never done it before it's not hard to imagine you might end up with some marks in your lovely new paint. So that could be a false economy in the end.
Depends on the LBS too, are they a hammer and socket type or do they have the right tools?
At they have to be replaced, you could leave them in the save masking the frame. Just means you'll need to remove and refit on a freshly painted frame. Depends on the frame really.
Just had them replaced on my Pitch for 25 quid...
Just had them replaced on my Pitch for 25 quid...
Where was that?! My Pitch needs doing too.
It's a mondraker factor, I did take the bearings out if an old enduro once which was a pain, hoping as technology has moved in its become easier
Grum - Spen Velo in Cleckheaton.
Cheers, might be able to do that actually. Thought it was normally closer to £100.
Might take my pitch there for £25 bargain!