Great Tool for Steering Stem Race Removal

Posted: Mon Jul 25, 2016 3:06 am

Several months ago I was looking online for a tool to remove steering stem races. I came across this on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BVL80JA/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It looked like the right tool for the right price, so I bought one. It was on the shelf, unused until today when the time came to remove the races from my resto-mod frame. I slipped it up through the race and then turned the bolt to expand the tool. The idea is to catch the inner edge of the race with the lip of the tool and expand it to the point where it's in there good and tight. Here's a picture to give you an idea of how it works:

Then it's a simple matter of sliding a length of pipe or something similar down through the neck and give the pipe some sharp blows.

By hitting the top of the tool squarely, force is evenly distributed to the race. It works - 3 good blows with a hammer and the race popped out. I inserted the tool on the other end of the neck, expanded it out, and I had the other race out with only 2 blows.

This is a great tool and I highly recommend it for anyone planning to replace steering stem bearings and races. It will make the job a lot less frustrating.

Tom

Posted: Mon Jul 25, 2016 4:16 am

Looks good! Thanks!

Posted: Mon Jul 25, 2016 7:47 am

excellent. that's my least-favourite job Wink

Posted: Mon Jul 25, 2016 9:42 am

Beats my hillbilly engineering solution!

Posted: Mon Jul 25, 2016 1:42 pm

+1, I have used the OTC tool three times and it makes removing races a piece of cake.

Now I need to find a way to drive the lower bearing back on the steering stem. Can't use an upside-down old race as it catches before the bearing is seated, might have to try this Park Tool bearing driver if I can't find some suitable sized tubing at McMaster-Carr:

Posted: Mon Jul 25, 2016 2:42 pm

sillygoose wrote:

+1, I have used the OTC tool three times and it makes removing races a piece of cake.

Now I need to find a way to drive the lower bearing back on the steering stem. Can't use an upside-down old race as it catches before the bearing is seated, might have to try this Park Tool bearing driver if I can't find some suitable sized tubing at McMaster-Carr:

I have a press now and am set up to do steering stems and bearings. I'll be able to offer that service alongside powder coating the triples.

Posted: Mon Jul 25, 2016 2:44 pm

sillygoose wrote:

+1, I have used the OTC tool three times and it makes removing races a piece of cake.

Now I need to find a way to drive the lower bearing back on the steering stem. Can't use an upside-down old race as it catches before the bearing is seated, might have to try this Park Tool bearing driver if I can't find some suitable sized tubing at McMaster-Carr:

I just use a pipe that is slightly larger than the stem on the ID of the pipe and slightly smaller than the inner race on the OD of the pipe, and then press it on with a hydraulic press.

Posted: Tue Jul 26, 2016 12:36 am

Good to know Tom, thanks....I'll be sending the triple up for the 887 in due time....

Posted: Tue Jul 26, 2016 3:53 am

I have that Park Tool stem bearing driver and their press and their race removal tool, and all are excellent. But the race removal tool won't catch the bottom race on the 750F, nor on a 1500 Gold Wing I just did. Had to resort to Desperate Measures to get those out and it was a pain. As soon as I hit "Submit" i'm gonna hit that Amazon link and buy that, thanks to the OP for posting about it.

N.

Posted: Tue Jul 26, 2016 9:25 pm

Anyone notice: "Usually ships within 1 to 2 months". Does that mean its out of stock?

Posted: Tue Jul 26, 2016 9:56 pm

we used to re and re bearing races from truck hubs all the time. to re install we just used the old race. with a die grinder we would just cut the old one down one side, turn it upside down and use it as a driver. the slot in the old race would allow easy removal of the cut one as it wouldn't fit tight.