Over-axle bearing press tool for mountain bike and road bike wheel hubs

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

This tool is designed to install the sealed cartridge bearings that are found on many brands of bicycle hub. This version of our press is designed to fit over the axles that protrude through the centre of the bearings on many hub designs, such as Hope and DT Swiss.

If the axle protrudes through the bearing, and the axle can't be removed before removing the bearing (sometimes called a captive axle), then this press is a better choice than our regular press.  This is an example of an over-axle hub:

The tool consists of a pair of drifts (sometimes called spacers or bushings) machined to closely match the diameter of the axle and the bearing's outside diameter, and a threaded rod to pull the drifts together.  Unless marked otherwise, the long drift is 55mm deep, enough to be used on the long drive-side of the hub's axle, while the shorter drift is 25mm deep.

Each press can be purchased with either T-bar handles or simple nuts. Both of these options include a pair of drifts and one of our new precision-engineered stainless steel threaded rods (9mm, 10mm and 12mm versions come with a more basic 5mm threaded rod; see details below).

The T-bar handles make the tool super-easy to use, while the nuts are a functional and cheaper option and are used with normal spanners.

A 'drifts only' option is offered for buyers who have already purchased a kit with the T-bar handles or the nuts before, and only need the drifts to fit a bearing size.

The threaded portion of the threaded rod supplied with this press is 8mm in diameter and 214mm long, with additional 8mm of non-threaded length at each end to lead the handles/nuts on and off.

(Note that the 9mm, 10mm and 12mm versions of the over-axle press (that's 689, 699, 6000, 6001, 6800, 6801, 6900, 6901) use a 5mm threaded rod so that they can be used with most quick-release hubs.  They therefore aren't compatible with our new 8mm stainless steel threadrd rod or our T-bar handles used for other presses)

Unlike some other bearing press designs, our design closely fits the inside and outside diameters of the bearing to ensure that the tool remains accurately centred and the bearings are pressed in straight.

Our drifts are carefully machined to maintain exact alignment between the inner and outer races of the bearing, meaning that no stress is placed across the bearings, prolonging bearing life and protecting the frame or hub.  

• Each press drift is engraved with it's size for easy identification
  
• Precision engineered from 316L stainless steel and 6082-T6 aluminium
  
• Designed & manufactured in the UK

 Looking for a comprehensive bearing tool package?  Check out our workshop sets here.

How To Use

The press tool is simple to use:

1. Install the bearing and axle loosely in the hub.  Slide the small 'tube' drift over the non-drive side end of the axle and the longer 'tube' drift over the drive side of the axle.

2. Slide the threaded rod through the centre of the axle. Tightening the nuts or handles draws the spacers together, pressing the bearing into place.

3. We prefer pressing in one side at a time.  The hub axle can be inserted through the first bearing and the spare drift inserted in place of the second bearing to keep everything aligned.

'Normal' Presses

The over-axle design is common in rear hub bodies (including Hope and DT) but less common in front hubs and quite unusual in freehubs.  

If your hub or freehub doesn't have a captive axle then you would be better with our normal press.  Without a captive axle there is nothing to keep the over-axle design centred on the bearing, while our normal press has a section that protrudes into the bearing to maintain accurate alignment.

If you find that you need a mix of over-axle and normal presses then our 30% 'second item discount' can be used for a mix presses and pullers.  The same T-bar handles or nuts and threaded rod can be used for all our presses (in this case it is best to purchase the over-axle press with the handles/nuts and the normal presses as 'drifts only', as the over-axle press comes with a longer threaded rod)

Bearing Pullers

On an over-axle hub, the captive axle prevents access for an expanding/blind bearing puller or a normal wind-out bearing pullers.  We have developed a special wind-out bearing puller for over-axle hubs as an alternative.

We also have some special tools for DT's EXP hubs.

We offer 30% off every second item bought from our single tools menus, including mixes of pullers and presses.  

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.