Stuck Outer Bearing Race Remover (Broken, Split, Collapsed Bearing Ring Puller)

***  Buy one, get one 30% off any mix of pullers and presses (applies to individual tools only, not kits) ***

We've redesigned our outer race pullers to give better grip and greater expansion range!

This tool is an effective way of removing stuck outer bearing races after a bearing has split apart.

Bearings can split during removal for a variety of reasons; if the balls inside the bearing are excessively corroded or worn, or if the inner race is cracked, then failure is possible.  Angular contact bearings, historically favoured by some brands such as Santa Cruz and Canyon, are very strong in the direction that they are pressed into the frame but very weak in the direction of removal, and sometimes split during removal. 

When a bearing splits apart it can be difficult to remove the remaining outer race from the frame or hub.  The traditional methods are either to tap out the race with a screwdriver or to grind out the race with a Dremel.  Both of these options risk damage to the frame or hub.  Our tool provides a safe and convenient way to grip the stuck race making removal easy.

Tool Selection

For this tool, the important dimension to know is the inside diameter of the bearing's stuck outer race.  This will usually be a few mm smaller than the intact bearing's outside diameter.  

If you happen to have a set of measuring calipers handy then the inside diameter of the stuck race can be measured directly; the next smallest tool is then chosen.  If not, consult the table below to select the right tool.

Each tool has an expansion range of at least 1mm.

How To

The bearing puller tool is simple to use. As well as the puller you will need a pair of spanners (or one spanner and a set of pliers), a hammer and a rod/drift/old bolt

• Insert the split circular end of the tool into the centre of the bearing, aligning the rounded tip of the tool with the groove in the inside of the stuck race where the bearings ran. 
• Grip the body of the tool with a spanner or pliers and tighten the nut. This will expand the tool, gripping the bearing race.
• With the hub/frame supported on a bench or block of wood, the bearing race and tool can be tapped out together by simply insert a rod/drift/old bolt into the other side of the bearing and tapping the end of the tool with a hammer

Here's a quick demo of our regular expanding puller tool's use on a hub (the process is virtually the same as removing a split bearing's outer race):

Our tools can be selected either by the bearing's dimensions or by the bearing's standard reference code.

Standard references take the form of a three to five digit number, such as 688, or 6902 for example.  These codes are often provided in the bike's user manuals, or moulded onto the bearing's seal. You might see something like 6902-2RS on the seal. The first digits are the standard reference.  The second part (2RS in this case) refers to the seal type and doesn't matter for tool selection.

While the letter & numbers after the baring ref usually refer to the type of seal, you should keep an eye out for the suffix 'E', for example 698-E.  This denotes that the inner race of the bearing is extended, which will affect puller and press selection. 

Alternatively, tools can be selected by their inside (ID) and outside (OD) diameters and width (W). 

Note that each tool is specific to one bearing size and can’t be used on bearings with different dimensions.

If you need any help then please feel free to email us!  We usually reply within 1 working day.