Concept2 Forum

Hi folks,

recently picked up a model b with a pm2 in good condition for a great price.

I noticed a bit of rust on the flywheel cage and wanted to take it apart to clean and paint.

I came across instructions here: http://www.concept2.com/files/pdf/us/in ... cement.pdf

My question is that, after I remove both retaining clips from the axle (step 6), would be OK to use a wooden dowel or similar to hammer out the axle?

I don't have the 'puller' tool as pictured in the above instructions (fig 1).

Lastly, -I haven't removed the retaining clips yet, but do they break easily? I don't have any spare parts, so I'm holding off until I ask you folks...


thanks a lot

Hammering directly on the axle is not a good idea, but tapping the cage is ok and will probably help when done at the right time.

I happened to have a Model B in the shop for a rebuild and worked on it tonight so this is fresh in my mind.

The cage is a bear to separate but when you pry the two halves apart and get the cage "fingers" off the opposing half, that will tend to negative load the bearing in the cage half. If you can, try to use the axle end as the fulcrum by placing something like a dowel glued into a board against it. Using your hands on the outside of the cage hub disc, squeeze the cage up while pulling down on the board with the dowel against the axle. It should pop off. It's ok to tap the cage itself a bit with a rubber mallet to try to jar it and have it pop free.

The Model B I worked on tonight had not been separated since it was new in '91 (??) and while it was a little stuck, it did pop off using this approach for me. I just put my thumb into the axle and squeezed my thumbs and fingers together to pry it up.

If your Model B has been outside and gotten wet, it's very possible the bearing is rusted to the axle shaft which will mean you have no choice but to use a puller to separate them.

The puller is a standard steering wheel/gear/flywheel/bearing puller and the trick is to break the bond the flywheel center has on the axle. You can buy a wheel puller at Sears or any decent tool store for under $20 or so and that will catch the flywheel and pull it up against the axle center so it draws it off.

I'll bet if you squirt a little PB Blaster (penetrating oil) in the bearing area of the cage, then tap the cage and work with it, it will pop off. Once you have the half with the cage retaining "fingers" on the opposite side cage separated, that really puts upward pressure on the axle bearing to let go so it should pop with a little extra help.

I took this photo to show what I mean, but I used both hands (except I was taking the photo with one) to pop it up by putting both thumbs on the end of the axle.


If push comes to shove, Amazon has a puller that will work and can do other things whereas C2's puller is just for the Model B cage.

http://www.amazon.com/OEM-27017-Steerin ... 058&sr=1-2