Best method for extracting stuck pinon bearing?

[FatTuna]

So I'm working on another Avet. First, let me say that I love Avet as a company. One of my favorite brands. However, with that said, I keep encountering the same issue with these reels. The seized pinon bearing. The last four Avets I worked on all had this issue. Not only is it stuck but the bearing is trashed. My method for removal has been trying to pry it out. I successfully was able to remove two of them but these last two I can't get out to save my life.

You guys have any do it yourself style tricks? Perhaps it's time I invested in a bearing puller.

[mike1010]

Same issue here.  The last one I did by removing *everything* else from the head plate, and then heating the plate to 350 in our toaster oven and hitting the bearing with just a touch of cold propellant from a can of keyboard duster.  The bearing flew across the room.  Entertaining as that was, I would really like a better way to remove those pinion bearings.  As a hobbyist, I am not ready to take the bearing puller plunge.  I even wonder how that mini bearing puller would do with these "blind" bearings.  Doesn't it have to get under them?  There's not much clearance there.

Mike

[Keta]

You can make a bearing puller out of a deck screw.

[mike1010]

That's one I have not tried.   Looks good,  though it appears it would have to be reduced for SX/MX series pinion bearings.

[Keta]

This one fits SX pinion bearings.  They can be custom fit with a file.

[mike1010]

"They can be custom fit with a file."
What can't?   
I will have to experiment with those.

[akfish]

Removing the pinion bearing from the smaller (SX, JX, LX and HX) Avets can be a real chore. I bought a bearing puller and it **sometimes** works. But not always. The hot/cold method sometimes works as well. In the worse case scenario, I remove the lever and the piece it fits on and drill a hole. This works and doesn't do as much harm as you'd think: Pack the hole with heavy grease and it's sealed off with the new bearing on one side and the lever on the other.

[FatTuna]

Thanks for the tips guys. Yeah all of these have been either SX or MX reels. It's been driving me nuts, lol. On some of the other reels I've dealt with, I was able to get to it from the other side and knock it out.

I like that home made bearing puller idea. So just a hand file? I'm going to try it.

[Alto Mare]

Removing the pinion bearing from the smaller (SX, JX, LX and HX) Avets can be a real chore. I bought a bearing puller and it **sometimes** works. But not always. The hot/cold method sometimes works as well. In the worse case scenario, I remove the lever and the piece it fits on and drill a hole. This works and doesn't do as much harm as you'd think: Pack the hole with heavy grease and it's sealed off with the new bearing on one side and the lever on the other.

Bill, is your puller equipped with a sliding hammer?

[Meanwhile]

Ive tried the puller with the sliding weight, just will not get a bite. 

After Lee showed me the same photo it was much easier to pry a bit and then use a slimmer tool to get underneath.  I should sell off this puller.

[akfish]

Yes my puller has the sliding hammer. What has happened is that the lip on the brass piece has deformed so that it doesn't quite work. I got my puller from Reel Speed.

[Keta]

So just a hand file? I'm going to try it.

I use a belt sander but have made them with files.  Smash the head to close to finished shape eith a hammer then file.

[Bryan Young]

I use something similar to Lee's miniature crowbar except I made mine out of piece from a stainless steel welding rod.  I have made the lip a little longer and I thread the crowbar though the spool shaft hole in the side plate, wedge the tip of the miniature crowbar under the lip of the bearing and flip the sideplate and place it on my workbench.  The I give the crow bar a little whack from my hammer.  I move the crowbar around while pushing the lip further and further under the bearing.  I have yet been unsuccessful.  Also, TSI 321 on the bearing's edges where it comes in contact with the sideplate, let sit for a few minutes, helps a lot.

[handi2]

I use something similar to Lee's miniature crowbar except I made mine out of piece from a stainless steel welding rod.  I have made the lip a little longer and I thread the crowbar though the spool shaft hole in the side plate, wedge the tip of the miniature crowbar under the lip of the bearing and flip the sideplate and place it on my workbench.  The I give the crow bar a little whack from my hammer.  I move the crowbar around while pushing the lip further and further under the bearing.  I have yet been unsuccessful.  Also, TSI 321 on the bearing's edges where it comes in contact with the sideplate, let sit for a few minutes, helps a lot.

Bryan you should have these made!

[Keta]

They take me less than 2 minutes to whip out.