If one wants to replace the spindle or the spindle bearings, one has to have a method to remove the spindle. The problem is that these bearings will be tight and this will require some force. One cannot get behind the inner races of either bearing, and so, removing them from the spindle shaft will probably damage them. This is not designed to be a user serviceable part. (Warranty void!!)
When I removed my spindle to replace the bearings, I blocked the truck from below and punched out the spindle shaft from above. (If you do try this, make sure you do not block the bottom bearing when you block the truck as the bottom bearing comes out easily with the spindle. The problem is just to punch the spindle shaft out of the small top bearing. Also, put something soft below to protect the belts if the spindle falls.)
I cannot recommend the above as a safe procedure as parts may be damaged if you are not careful. The accepted method for such a removal would, of course, be to use a press. This, I think, would require removal of the truck from the machine. The purpose of this thread is to discuss and/or invent a safe and simple removal method which does not require the truck to be beaten or removed from the machine.
My second thought would be to make a puller to pull the shaft from below. To try my idea, you will need:
- a 2 ½ " long ¼ " bolt and three nuts. (fine thread is better)
- a 2” long piece 1 ½ " OD thin wall pipe with a slight angle clearance cut from one side of the top. (see the first picture)
- a large 1 ½ " plus, thick washer.
- two small pieces of curved wooden shims. These have to wedge between the QC (when adapter is in) and the bottom bearing (and stay inside the pipe).
First, remove the flex shaft, the flexshaft receptacle, and the small clip on the top of the spindle shaft. Slide the plastic outer sleeve down off of the QC. Put the bolt down through a ¼ " bit adapter, tighten the set screws and put the adapter into the QC. Press fit the two wood shims between the top of the QC and the bottom bearing. (These shims are required so the QC cannot let go of the adapter when we pull on it.) Place the pipe over the QC and up against the bottom of the truck with the clearance cut on the top of the pipe at the back. Put the washer and nut on the bolt and tighten finger tight. Adjust the top of the pipe to make sure it fits and is not going to interfere with the outer race of the bottom bearing. Now thread on two more nuts at the end of the bolt and lock them together. With the machine cranked to the top and the truck at the bottom of travel, put one wrench on the lock nuts and tighten the washer nut until the top of the spindle is pulled out of the top bearing.
I cannot fully test this procedure since I do not have a virgin spindle system. I hope one of you will volunteer to test and report.