Removal of main shaft bearing from bearing block on Stratus

[jambo]

I have never removed a bearing from any bearing block before and was wondering if someone could help me.

It is the Stratus middle bearing block that has the seconday small bearing in the end for the tail drive gear.

I'm reluctant to put any heat on it without destroying both bearings!

Thanks

Steve

[WillJames]

You have to use heat. Are the bearings you are taking out not bad?

[jambo]

The main shaft bearing is shot but the smaller tail gear bearing is fine.

How hot do I need to heat what up? Do i use oven or blow torch, etc? There is hardly any material of the bearing block on one side so I cant exactly bang it out with brute force!

[WillJames]

If you use oven, it will probably make all the grease come out of your tail drive bearing. I would try a torch juts to heat up the end where the main shaft bearing you have to replace is and see if you can get it hot enough to get it out without getting the tail drive bearing to hot. I am definitely no expert and last time I had to do the same thing as you I ended up replacing both bearings because I had the block out and the heli torn down to that point. I used a toaster oven to do both bearings.

[capebob]

Usually a hobby heat gun is sufficient.

Bob

[WayneBrown]

Use the torch. It should take only about a 5 count to get it hot enough, the trick is to only get the block hot, not the bearing(s). Heat will cause aluminum to expand faster than steel, making it easy to remove the bearing...

[jambo]

Thanks guys, heating it up worked fine without damaging the tail bearing :) something has gone right for a change!