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[Robin]

Hello, upon taking the crankshaft out, the inner bearing race of the timing side main bearing is stuck fast on the shaft - it won't budge! Does anyone have any suggestions how to slide it off the shaft? Thanks for any replies.

[Norm]

Robin,
Inner bearing race cshould be stuck on both sides, you need a special bearing puller to get them off. The place putting your crank together should have one

[Robin]

Thanks Norm! The inner race on the drive side just slid off, so I thought the one on the timing side should too. Well, you've put my mind to rest, and I shall leave it to the specialist to sort it out. Does this mean I have to take the main bearings to the guy who'll press the new big end in, so he can get the new inner races on the shafts, or should I be able to do that myself?

[Les H]

Hi Robin. Don't forget that the replacement bearing on the loose side can be fixed with "Loctite 648" to stop it spinning on the shaft or in its housing within the crankcase.

[Norm]

Robin,
Give the bearing inners a warm up with a gas stove,propane torch or in the oven and they will slide on, remember to fit the thrust washers before fitting them otherwise you will have to get them removed again, not good.

[Robin]

Thanks guys! Will use your recommended heating method to get the new ones on, Norm, if they're tight. And will use your recommended Loctite product to lock them tight on the shaft if they're loose, Les.

[Robin]

Ha ha! Just received my new crankcase bearings a moment ago, and the 'European' made NU 305, which is to replace the Indian main bearing which went bust is...made in India! It's a top of the range FAG X-life though, and the steel cage which keeps the rollers in position is of drastically different design, and looks a lot sturdier than the cage of the original, which disintegrated. The other two crankcase bearings are Austrian NKE's, and the big end bearing, pin and rod look like a nicely machined outfit. Hope this stuff stands up to the rigours of the road.