How to press bearings onto umbrella gear in tail?

[kirby_]

I'm putting the tail of Trex 500L back together after a crash and I cannot figure out how to push the bearings onto the plastic umbrella gear shaft. This is the umbrella gear that goes on the tail side of the toque tube.
The manual shows these parts as:
Long umbrella gear, and two 12x2.5mm bearings, I got it all together once, but when I spun the tail rotor shaft by hand, it had a "catch" in the same spot, which I think might be the result of the bearing not being on straight.

How can I get this on straight? I tried a socket and tapping with the handle of my screwdriver, but that led to me breaking the outer race away from the bearing.

Any help is appreciated.

[BAMABOY]

Not sure how close they are but I'm sure it's the same principle as the 450. I just rebuilt mine and I drilled a hole in a piece of hardwood, the size if the shaft and used the umbrella gear to press down into the hole and the bearing was fully supported on the wood. Seemed to work fine.

[Ah Clem]

There was (I don't know if it is still in production) an aftermarket tool for doing this (actually for both installing and removing the bearings) which made if much easier.

I will try to find a link to it (Finless Bob may have done a video about it).

You might look for a piece of brass tubing that is just large enough to slide over the shank of the gear, so that you can press the bearings on by pressing against the inner race of the bearing (you can ruin the bearing by pressing against the outer race). The tubing should also help you to press it on straight.

Found it!

https://www.helifreak.com/showthread...t=bearing+tool

From scanning the thread, it looks like the gentleman who made these has passed away.

[SumOFparts]

You buy the tool......

http://www.ebay.com/itm/C24738GUN-To...3D131510368572

[SumOFparts]

And here's how to use it -

https://www.google.com/search?q=Gear...F56EH6-yENM%3A

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Helps to sand or chamfer the edge of the plastic to help start the bearing...

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[nabl74]

Always done it by hand with no issue. Ive rebuilt my tail a few times on the 500L so far and never had any issues pressing the bearing onto the umbrella gear by hand initially and then using a oair of snip pliers positioned evenly over face of bearing and pressing down with umbrella gear on surface and shaft facing up.

[Ignatjev]

Same here - everything can be done without buying special tools

[leokat001]

I usually just put the bearing in the tail block and then press the gear in from the back .

[MiataJohn]

Originally Posted by leokat001

I usually just put the bearing in the tail block and then press the gear in from the back .

+1 The easy way.

[CrashNburn420]

Originally Posted by leokat001

I usually just put the bearing in the tail block and then press the gear in from the back .

Use this same method for removing the front TT gear bearings. Put just that gear in the block, insert a + screwdriver and tap out the TT gear.