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Bearing removal and replacement

jasride

Turbo Monkey
Sep 23, 2006
1,069
5
PA
Does anyone have an idea of where to buy a maestro bearing kit online for a 2012 Giant reign?

And also the specific bearing press.

Not having any luck searching around. Thanks.
 

jasride

Turbo Monkey
Sep 23, 2006
1,069
5
PA
I did see that first link for Enduroforkseals.com, I failed to mention that in my original post. I never heard of them so I sent them an email to get some info.

I don't know why but I'm a little sketched out on removing and replacing these things myself. Any advise?
 

kickstand

Turbo Monkey
Sep 18, 2009
3,441
392
Fenton, MI
I've not done them on a reign, on the transition bikes I have done them on they have designed the frame to allow you to punch them out iwth a hammer/screwdriver with out damaging the frame, then just carefully press them back into the frame.

When I have done bearings I have liberally coated the frame and bearings with grease to get them to slide in as smooth as possible, keep them square, be gentle and take your tame. Then wipe away excess grease and re-assemble.
 

jasride

Turbo Monkey
Sep 23, 2006
1,069
5
PA
Thanks man,

Yeah it looks like there's 3 little notches on the back side of each bearing housing on the frame where you can punch them out with a screw driver or something similar.

I'd hate to mess up the frame just enough to where the new bearings dont seat in properly. This frame has been really good and its been put through its paces. I have not had any play or looseness in any of the pivots in two years of riding on it.

Getting a new shock and noticed a couple bearings kinda seized up so I want to replace them.

How did you press yours into your Transition? Iv'e seen the threaded bolt / washer combo.

I just ordered from the link you posted earlier. I didn't hear back from them but I went with the order anyway after reading some more. Seems to be a legit company.
 

kickstand

Turbo Monkey
Sep 18, 2009
3,441
392
Fenton, MI
I tapped mine in with a hammer and a proper sized socket. As long as you take your time and you don't act like a hamfisted idiot you should be able to tap them in gently and STRAIGHT and get them to slide in. I had a few that were slightly tricky, and I was worried about effing up a $2500 frame, but at the end of the day they all slid in nicely.

I can't stress enough, take your time, make sure you are tapping them in straight, and you shouldn't mess anything up. Or, get a proper bearing press that will insure they are 100% straight in the frame.
 

canadmos

Cake Tease
May 29, 2011
20,190
19,156
Canaderp
To get bearings back in the frame, I've always used the long threaded rod/bolt and washers combo. Never had any issues with it. Like kickstand said, just go slow.
 

jasride

Turbo Monkey
Sep 23, 2006
1,069
5
PA
Thanks guys,

I'll get the bearings in next week then see how I want to approach it whether it's tapping or pressing them in.
 

canadmos

Cake Tease
May 29, 2011
20,190
19,156
Canaderp
Do we actually need that stuff on the bearing in bike frames? Some of the bearing recesses are already thin enough, I'd be weary about having to pound them out even harder.
 

slimshady

¡Mira, una ardilla!
I started using it after one of the rear triangle bearings in my Iron Horse got a tiny bit of play. The good thing is if you choose the 638 compound you won't need to whack the frame much more harder than if you placed the bearing without it. Just a bit of heat makes it easier to get out.

Plus, as I said before, it makes the whole bearing pressing easier.
 
I'd urge you to use a bearing retaining compound -such as Loctite 638/648- rather than grease to slide the fresh ones in. It acts like a lubricant while sitting them an then it cures up and hardens, not allowing the bearings to move in the frame.
Don't use a bearing retaining compound unless the frame is already damaged, e.g. bearing's no longer a press fit.
 

jasride

Turbo Monkey
Sep 23, 2006
1,069
5
PA
Thanks for the reply's all.

I received the bearing kit and just waiting on the rear shock to arrive.

I'll be opening the bearing kit tonight and planning out how I want to approach this. Hoping I can tap the old out with a socket and socket extender and then press in the new with a bolt-washer-nut combo of some kind.
 

kickstand

Turbo Monkey
Sep 18, 2009
3,441
392
Fenton, MI
If it was my bike I'd start soaking each bearing location in some sort of penetrating lubricant to get them out easier.

I also wouldn't use bearing compound.
 

jasride

Turbo Monkey
Sep 23, 2006
1,069
5
PA
Hey guys,


Thought I'd update this thread since I started it here. It's been an interesting couple weeks. I wasn't able to do everything at one time due to other obligations, so swapping out the bearings and mounting the new shock was a project spread through out the last week or 2.


Just to keep it short I'll just say I ended up going with the ground and pound method of tapping most of the bearings out with a hammer and sockets but on a couple of them I ended up using a C clamp to push them out. Most of them were in really tight but I was able to get them out hassle free for the most part ( one or two of them were actually a bit of an effort to get out ). Using the same two methods I was able to either press them in with the C clamp and socket or washers, or tap them in with a hammer and socket. I didn't use any bearing compound but I did put a light coat of grease on them to help slide into place.


When the time comes for a newer bike I will probably invest in some kind of bearing press kit to have on hand or take the time to really come up with a solid DIY press kit.



Now we have fresh bearings and a brand new air can.

Thanks,