[TowerTalk] Thrust bearing problem

[Jeff Goldman]

Bill,

Take the whole thing and put it in a heavy vise.   Then cut off the remaining lower 2 feet of the mast, leaving only about 2-3 inches of the mast stuck in the bearing.   Get a hacksaw, and put the blade through the center of the mast and cut the mast from the inside out to the bearing.   Make =a total of 4 cuts at 90 degrees apart, and the segments should then be easier to remove (it still take a heavy hammer, but now there is some room for the segments to break loose from the bearing.   

If that doesn't work, here is a link to Surplus Centerand they sell bearings.
Surplus Center
They have four 2 inch bearings, 2 with set-screws, and 2 with locking collars.  One of these should fit your needs.

No association with the Surplus Center, just a happy customer.

73,
Jeff, k3dua



On Jul 16, 2012, at 3:07 PM, w6rgs at cox.net wrote:

> Hello group,
> I purchased a used Tri-Ex W-51 tower.  The 4-bolt thrust bearing was 
> very rusty and had the 2"-diameter steel mast rusted to the 
> bearing.  The upper part of the mast had been cut from the bearing, 
> so removing the bearing and the 2' lower part of the mast as a unit was easy.
> I've tried lots of penetrating oil over a 3-month period, big pipe 
> wrenches and a vise, but I'm still unable to free the mast stub from 
> the bearing.  I was hoping to refurbish the thrust bearing for 
> re-use, but no luck.
> Also, no luck searching around for a replacement bearing unit that 
> meets the same bolt-hole dimensions.   Found a place called Hub City, 
> but the measurements are off.  Anyone know of another source for a 
> 4-bolt thrust bearing?  Already tried Tashjian Towers.
> Thanks in advance.
> 
> 73  Bill W6RGS
> 
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