SKF offers tip on how to safety remove bearings

This tip focuses on removing bearings safely.

The most dangerous tool you may have in your kit might well be a two-arm jaw puller. These devices, used correctly, can safely remove a press-fitted bearing from a shaft. But in many cases, the jaws of the puller don't reach the inner ring, which would be the safest place to apply the pulling force. So, we place the puller jaws on the outer ring and tighten the center spindle of the puller to apply the removal force. If the outer ring is slightly misaligned, you're applying force to two balls or rollers, and it's much more likely you'll fracture the bearing outer ring, sending dangerous chips flying. There is also a chance the puller may slip off entirely if we aren't watching what we're doing.

The safer tool, especially for the occasional user, is a three-arm jaw puller. It's simply a more stable arrangement, and generally centers itself during removal.

In all cases, if applying force to the OUTER ring, rotate the puller as you remove the bearing. You may hear the rollers "clunk" into place as the pulling force is evenly distributed through all the rolling elements to the bearings rings.

The safest method? Pull on the proper ring of the bearing – the one with the press fit. There are tools available to do the job. Is there a common thread developing here? Let's all take the time to get the right tool to do the job. It's almost always safer, faster, and less destructive to the rest of the machine parts.