by david brooks » Wed Jun 07, 2006 4:35 pm
Hi kesso,
I'm just doing the same thing to mine.
All I had to do with mine was cook it at 350 F for about 20 minutes placed on a cooking pan, take it out with a hotpad keeping a bearing face open, and tap the corner of the PTO casting on a breadboard. Flip it and do the other side.
If your using a toaster oven make sure it goes on a cooking pan, and cover it loose with foil, so the elements dont scorch a retainer when they light. I thought of this before hand, but thought I should pass it along so there's no learning mistakes. :wink:
I'm lucky mine came out that easy. If they didn't come out with smacking the corners, I suppose I could have set the PTO up on some blocks and tried to snag the lip of the bottom bearing and try a push with a dowel.
The last try a hammer tap on it or a reheat if I was taking too long to do this. Its important to do this as quick as you can before it shrinks from the outside again.
I looked into buying new bearings and finding it difficult to find a full set made of stainless steel. Any suggestions welcome here.