Hi, Don I need your help. I made a mistake on my 310 stihl chainsaw trying to cleaning I took off the front pulley and now the flywheel won't spin neither can get the rope out. Plase help
Because he’s way over explaining his hammer selection and how to hold the saw when you hit it. Anyone who’s even considering removing a flywheel knows tools and is mechanically inclined and if they’re watching this, they really just need a quick “lock up piston, unbolt, screw tool on, give a light whack or 3, and remove.” Not a long explanation on hammer selection. Granted I didn’t downvote, but being in a hurry, I was a little annoyed at the drawn out hammer choice and saw holding explanations and I’d imagine that’s why people downvoted.
Yes, for a non-professional (or even for a professional) Dony has amazing videographer and editing skills. His photography is well-illuminated, his audio is clear, and his editing is great. Also, he just seems like a nice guy.
Just want to say thanks for all the videos. I’ve learned so much about small engine repair watching your channel. It’s great to be able to fix things yourself...a sense of independence and certainly helpful in the wallet! Great stuff! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Don, Thanks for all the great tips you gave us this year. You definitely have the best small engine channel on UA-cam. I wish you and your family Merry Christmas . Stay safe brother. 👍
Perfectly informative!, a Craftsman chainsaw I've been working on! The rope trick and the second method you used on the Poulan, worked like a charm!, thank you!
Hi Don, another great video! With a Stihl trimmer that has the built in key which has sheared off ,could I use red locktite to help hold it in place? The cost to replace the flywheel is $130.00 CAD. so it’s not worth the repair cost.
Great to know, thanks. But WHY does this work, is there enough movement along the crankshaft and/or something that the flywheel hits to jar it loose when you hit the crank end(with nut, etc.) with the hammer? I've obviously never worked on a chainsaw but lots of lawnmowers and old outboards and there's usually a hole, sometimes tapped, sometimes you have to tap it, to use with a puller. RichE San Diego, CA
As allways good safe advice that's so handy to know :-D When i was a kid i removed a magneto flywheel off a motorbike using string and a small hammer, the string went through the flywheel holes twice so i could pull them really tight. While i was pulling, my mate tapped the nut twice and the flywheel jumped an inch forward and was stopped by the nut. Simple methods can work really well :-D
Great comment zx8401ztv, I've used this procedure when I didnt have the rite puller setup but used my fingers to hold the flywheel, supporting the powerhead entirely then (with a helper) carefully smack a deep socket on a flange nut which was backed off slightly and always had good results. My fingers thank you for the string idea!
Arne Nelson The string and what my dad called 'Shaking the taper' worked so well for me, good to know some tricks :-D The old haynes manual was great for ways to do a job without special tools as well :-D.
I back the flywheel nut off a bit and pop the end of the crankshaft with an air hammer. Pops the flywheel loose instantly. Been doing it that way for 20 years. Basically the same thing as in this video.
fixinphil Flywheel is just on a tapered shaft. Not threaded on. I’ve taken off flywheels on really old rusty engines, over tightened flywheels, everything. Like I said I’ve been doing this at least 20 years. I’ll let you know if I ever find one I can’t get off. Lol
wcjcnc I understand that. Taken off many also but every once in a while you get one that's really tight. Same with gens. Always get them off too but definitely will try your method.
fixinphil I also use that method on alternators. Carrier and Thermo king pulleys are on real tight and we send them out to the rebuilders so you cannot damage them
great advise , and then i come out with an idea, the nut in the flywheel as you show there I put a long socket 13mm in my case and the banged with a rubber mallet and voila!! nice and lose. Thanks Dony
Thanks Dony. This is just what I wanted to know to repair my saw. I see lots of Chinese flywheels. How do you rate them? Thanks again great informative video
I went to a local shop and asked for a piston stop. He said, "Why would you do that to a piston?". I said to get the clutch off. He said " that's not how you remove a clutch ". Us moped riders are using a piston stop, all the time. We don't u🎉se it to remove clutches, we use it to get to the points, to time the engine, and to remove the variator.
Great video!The flywheel on my Stihl BG85 is very stubborn to come off. Would you have a PN for the proper tools to use and do you think it just might be a little fused since it was never removed and just needs a little more force/whacks? Thanks.
I've found on most flywheels you can loosen the nut then take a medium hammer and hit the flywheel on the non-magnet edge. The flywheel pops off usually.
Hi Don, Great video, would just like to ask you, the Stihl Flywheel removal tool will this fit a MS171 chainsaw as I've been told on some smaller models the shaft is a different size?
Nice tips. On my old Briggs motors I put some wood wedges between the flywheel and the block and tap the nut with a mallet. Usually works but I haven’t come across a real stubborn one yet. Now if you could help me with my Gravely magneto???? Funny, but magneto doesn’t come up in spell check.. Just the young tech guys haven’t heard of that one!!!!!!!
Once again great tips for saving equipment and making things easier to work on. Thanks for sharing. I have also heard of using regular clothesline rope. Is that bad?
Working on a Husky 440e. The case needs to be replaced due to an oil leak. I've removed the 4 screws holding the engine to the case but it will not budge. What next, does the fly wheel need to be removed??
I couldn't get my Echo CS400 flywheel loose. On that model the springs on the flywheel are bolted on and all is needed is a flat strong plate with holes drilled just for the 2 bolts to screw the plate down onto the end of the crankshaft and boom off it comes. Wrong! My plate was aluminum and was bending so left it tight and pulling and went ahead to removing the clutch with the rope in the cylinder and a chisel. During that impossible task the flywheel came loose. The chisel didn't work on the clutch and I was having to hit it way too hard. So I got an 18 mm wrench stuck onto one of the 3 splines in this particular clutch and turned that with a monkey wrench and was finally victorious. What I'm trying to do is put crank seals in. Thanks for sharing donyboy73. I tried something similar to your 2nd method but mine was just too tough.
I have that knockoff tool for larger 4 cycle engines, it's a stens I got off ebay, it works very well. I remember asking you about 3 years ago, how do I stop the flywheel from turning when attempting to get the nut off, you said I don't know to me, maybe you didn't understand the question, I don't know. But now I have a strap wrench and an impact. I've pulled so many flywheel's now its like second nature. Mainly 4 cycle's but I've pulled those little ones too.
Hi Dony, your’e channel is awesome. I just pulled a flywheel from my old 1987 Husqvarna 281, one of my favorite saws. I got the wheel off (had never been pulled), but it was on there pretty good. No damage done. But, I am curious if applying a little bit of anti-seize compound to the crankshaft, or inside of the flywheel’s hole would make it any easier to loosen and pull the flywheel. I’m guessing not as I’ve not seen reference to that in any service manuals. Otherwise I was planning on putting a little lithium grease around the shaft, and hopefully pull it more frequently for routine cleaning so perhaps that’s all I need to do. Advice appreciated.
The right tool for the job. I say that every time I am messing around with something without the right tool, which takes me 10 times as long and usually breaking something.
Unscrew the nut until flush with the shaft end, put a short socket over the nut, then use an air chisel tool to pound on the socket. The flywheel will pop off almost instantly with no possibility of damaging any part of the motor.
The piston is trying to come up to the top of the cylinder and the rope piled up in the cylinder takes up the space at the top and the piston can't go fully up. You should watch (through the spark plug hole) for the piston to be almost at the top before you put the rope in and then shove in as much as you can. If the piston is near the top then you should eliminate the problem with the rope getting into the ports because they will be below the piston top. Actually the rope might be easier on the top of the piston than the steel peg which could put a dent in the top of the piston if you put too much cranking pressure on it.
I couldn't find the tool to remove the flywheel by hammering @ a reasonable price so... I took the nut off, reversed the nut and screwed it on nearly flush with the end of the crankshaft, a helper held the saw while, I using a ball peen hammer held on the nut I struck the rounded end of the ball peen hammer with my brass dead blow hammer, worked like a charm. you could also make your own tool from some scrap hex or round stock and drill and tap it . 8mm x 1.0 is the tread pitch, 7.1mm is the tap drill size for the Stihl 029 I have...your results may vary 😁 (Just don't knock the 3lb hammer off the bench and have it land on your instep, 1½ days later it still hurts 😣)
Thanks for your STIll improving methods of flywheel removal ! Once I tried to feel like a crank ball bearing though - while such BRUTAL hammer (even brass one) operation ;-) And I must say: IT DID HURT, really; ball bearing SHAN'T be treated with that axial stress! Probably it can enshorten durability of those two. My flywheel MODE D'EMPLOI is 1.Set two flat steels under flywheel AND MAKE the whole engine HANGING on them by two strong wooden boxes, 2. Loosen the flywh. nut up to last thread is not seen, 3. Hit is as you did, but by steel hammer AND hard WOOD SEPARATOR (aluminum could do as well). This way we can SEPARATE BEARINGS from any hammer-shock = cuz strains are transmitted directly into wooden boxes by means of two flats! Try mentally be with eiher crank bearing :-() That's all! PS: I've also tried hanging the motor set under my working table with 4mm steel cable loop. The closed loop has embraced the crankshaft just UNDER the flywheel to be removed. Also effective method in case of problems with penetration of flat pieces under the flywheel. Bye, and choose the best!
I enjoyed your interesting message Adam and like your general idea of protecting the bearings by isolating the force of the hammer strikes to just the tapered areas by solid support of the flywheel and using the weight of the saw and gravity, but I don't think it actually helps, because it prevents vibrations that are beneficial in releasing the grip of the tapers plus I don't agree the bearings in this situation require the protection described so I think the method of less effort shown in the video of holding the saw in the air while protecting the threads is a much better choice.
@@adamasz54 I'm pretty sure that striking quite hard with a 2 pound steel sledge hammer is the most common method even by professionals and I never heard of bearing damage so I think your worry is totally unfounded. Bearings are extremely tough items and although I can't prove damaging them is impossible I'm pretty sure damage is in fact impossible, being a big hammer guy myself, but I could be all wrong.
19 idiots downvoted this video...why? what possible reason could they have? smh
other jealous youtube channels and shop owners
Hi, Don I need your help. I made a mistake on my 310 stihl chainsaw trying to cleaning I took off the front pulley and now the flywheel won't spin neither can get the rope out. Plase help
It's called jealous loosers!
Because he’s way over explaining his hammer selection and how to hold the saw when you hit it. Anyone who’s even considering removing a flywheel knows tools and is mechanically inclined and if they’re watching this, they really just need a quick “lock up piston, unbolt, screw tool on, give a light whack or 3, and remove.” Not a long explanation on hammer selection.
Granted I didn’t downvote, but being in a hurry, I was a little annoyed at the drawn out hammer choice and saw holding explanations and I’d imagine that’s why people downvoted.
It's because they broke their flywheel
He is among the top 10% of the small enging tech on UA-cam. He is very organized and knowledgeable in his trade.
Excellent Photography and editing.....not to mention great technical advice, Thank you!
You also always have good audio.
Yes, for a non-professional (or even for a professional) Dony has amazing videographer and editing skills. His photography is well-illuminated, his audio is clear, and his editing is great. Also, he just seems like a nice guy.
Just want to say thanks for all the videos. I’ve learned so much about small engine repair watching your channel. It’s great to be able to fix things yourself...a sense of independence and certainly helpful in the wallet! Great stuff! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Don,
Thanks for all the great tips you gave us this year.
You definitely have the best small engine channel on UA-cam.
I wish you and your family
Merry Christmas .
Stay safe brother. 👍
Please educate me here. Restoring my 028 WB from high school. Why is the piston stop needed ? Thanks for the vid .
Thx Don, just changed flywheel on Makita Brushcutter following ur advice and without any special tools.
Perfectly informative!, a Craftsman chainsaw I've been working on! The rope trick and the second method you used on the Poulan, worked like a charm!, thank you!
As always, well explained and practical advice. I really appreciate that you showed two good methods. Thanks Dony!
Don, you just saved me a huge headache. Thank you so much for this video!
Just when i thought i knew it all. And just another thumbs up!
Hi Don, another great video! With a Stihl trimmer that has the built in key which has sheared off ,could I use red locktite to help hold it in place? The cost to replace the flywheel is $130.00 CAD. so it’s not worth the repair cost.
It may or may not work
You have the New subscriber…
Thanks for your help
I've not only enjoyed all your videos but learned quite a few great tips!
Thanks Dony!
Merry Christmas to you and your family!
Genius Merry Christmas buddy
Great to know, thanks. But WHY does this work, is there enough movement along the crankshaft and/or something that the flywheel hits to jar it loose when you hit the crank end(with nut, etc.) with the hammer? I've obviously never worked on a chainsaw but lots of lawnmowers and old outboards and there's usually a hole, sometimes tapped, sometimes you have to tap it, to use with a puller.
RichE San Diego, CA
First class instructional video, thank you for this most useful information.
Great video. Touched everything - especially eye protection!
How do you know if that flywheel nut is right or left hand thread?
As allways good safe advice that's so handy to know :-D
When i was a kid i removed a magneto flywheel off a motorbike using string and a small hammer, the string went through the flywheel holes twice so i could pull them really tight. While i was pulling, my mate tapped the nut twice and the flywheel jumped an inch forward and was stopped by the nut.
Simple methods can work really well :-D
Great comment zx8401ztv, I've used this procedure when I didnt have the rite puller setup but used my fingers to hold the flywheel, supporting the powerhead entirely then (with a helper) carefully smack a deep socket on a flange nut which was backed off slightly and always had good results. My fingers thank you for the string idea!
Arne Nelson
The string and what my dad called 'Shaking the taper' worked so well for me, good to know some tricks :-D
The old haynes manual was great for ways to do a job without special tools as well :-D.
@@arnenelson4495, I'll have to remember the flange nut.
I back the flywheel nut off a bit and pop the end of the crankshaft with an air hammer. Pops the flywheel loose instantly. Been doing it that way for 20 years. Basically the same thing as in this video.
Until you get a real tight flywheel.
fixinphil Flywheel is just on a tapered shaft. Not threaded on. I’ve taken off flywheels on really old rusty engines, over tightened flywheels, everything. Like I said I’ve been doing this at least 20 years. I’ll let you know if I ever find one I can’t get off. Lol
wcjcnc The method that you use to get the fly wheel off is exactly what I do works every time
wcjcnc I understand that. Taken off many also but every once in a while you get one that's really tight. Same with gens. Always get them off too but definitely will try your method.
fixinphil I also use that method on alternators. Carrier and Thermo king pulleys are on real tight and we send them out to the rebuilders so you cannot damage them
as always, friday afternoon i waiting for video ,and it is always something to learn
thank again
By far the best small engine repair channel on here!
Merry Christmas Dony! Thanks for the videos!
It's a very useful tips. Thank you so much, Dony.
Great advice because I have some flywheel removal to do. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!
great advise , and then i come out with an idea, the nut in the flywheel as you show there I put a long socket 13mm in my case and the banged with a rubber mallet and voila!! nice and lose. Thanks Dony
Good information. You make it look easy. Thanks.
Good job and great tip. Wishing you and your Family a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!
great tips....can save a lot of thread problems when it goes back together
Encore un excellent video très instructif, merci Dony
Thanks Dony. This is just what I wanted to know to repair my saw. I see lots of Chinese flywheels. How do you rate them?
Thanks again great informative video
Yes Yes you are the man. Thank you. Thank you. Merry Christmas to all.
Goodmorning from Greece. Perfect video, useful as always. Thank you very much fot your knowledge share. Merry Christmas to all your family!
will the flywheel puller tool stihl part 5910 893 0801 fit on all stihl chainsaws I have a stihl ms270c? Thanks donyboy73
In my 76 years, I never heard of a 'piston stop'. Goes to show, your never too old to learn.
HI UNCLE BOB!
Thank you 🙏 sir love ❤️ your videos
You're never too old to learn.
Fannys your aunt!
I went to a local shop and asked for a piston stop. He said, "Why would you do that to a piston?". I said to get the clutch off. He said " that's not how you remove a clutch ". Us moped riders are using a piston stop, all the time. We don't u🎉se it to remove clutches, we use it to get to the points, to time the engine, and to remove the variator.
Great video!The flywheel on my Stihl BG85 is very stubborn to come off. Would you have a PN for the proper tools to use and do you think it just might be a little fused since it was never removed and just needs a little more force/whacks? Thanks.
Wonderful Video, Donny.
Hi Donny what's the torque setting for the flywheel nut on an 20 yr old MS170 ?
How does the saw's engine go up in the compression stroke, even though it only has one shaft?
Instructive as always, thank you very much. greetings from Spain.
Happy Christmas 🎄
another helpful tips to all chainsaw lover.. Big thanks
I've found on most flywheels you can loosen the nut then take a medium hammer and hit the flywheel on the non-magnet edge. The flywheel pops off usually.
Great video thanks for the info and have a Merry Christmas to you and your family
Hi Don....do you have any videos on the Stihl MS 391? I thought I saw one on your higher shelves there?
Hi Don, Great video, would just like to ask you, the Stihl Flywheel removal tool will this fit a MS171 chainsaw as I've been told on some smaller models the shaft is a different size?
Thanks Don. I never really liked the rope idea although I have used it.
Nice tips. On my old Briggs motors I put some wood wedges between the flywheel and the block and tap the nut with a mallet. Usually works but I haven’t come across a real stubborn one yet. Now if you could help me with my Gravely magneto???? Funny, but magneto doesn’t come up in spell check.. Just the young tech guys haven’t heard of that one!!!!!!!
Once again great tips for saving equipment and making things easier to work on. Thanks for sharing. I have also heard of using regular clothesline rope. Is that bad?
Working on a Husky 440e. The case needs to be replaced due to an oil leak. I've removed the 4 screws holding the engine to the case but it will not budge.
What next, does the fly wheel need to be removed??
Another great video. Thanks for everything. Merry Xmas to you and your family.
I couldn't get my Echo CS400 flywheel loose. On that model the springs on the flywheel are bolted on and all is needed is a flat strong plate with holes drilled just for the 2 bolts to screw the plate down onto the end of the crankshaft and boom off it comes. Wrong!
My plate was aluminum and was bending so left it tight and pulling and went ahead to removing the clutch with the rope in the cylinder and a chisel. During that impossible task the flywheel came loose.
The chisel didn't work on the clutch and I was having to hit it way too hard.
So I got an 18 mm wrench stuck onto one of the 3 splines in this particular clutch and turned that with a monkey wrench and was finally victorious.
What I'm trying to do is put crank seals in. Thanks for sharing donyboy73. I tried something similar to your 2nd method but mine was just too tough.
I was curious why you couldn't just use an impact wrench. Would that work
DB73; Once again you bring us very good content on your channel. Thanks Buddy, * Marry Christmas * All !!!
I have that knockoff tool for larger 4 cycle engines, it's a stens I got off ebay, it works very well.
I remember asking you about 3 years ago, how do I stop the flywheel from turning when attempting to get the nut off, you said I don't know to me, maybe you didn't understand the question, I don't know. But now I have a strap wrench and an impact. I've pulled so many flywheel's now its like second nature. Mainly 4 cycle's but I've pulled those little ones too.
A lot of great advice in this one. Thanks!
I back the nut off a bit and pop it with an air hammer. Been doing it that way for 30 years.
WOWW DONY--GOOD JOB...
Always good to grease & protect the nuts !
And the shaft. Don't forget the shaft.
Hi Dony, your’e channel is awesome. I just pulled a flywheel from my old 1987 Husqvarna 281, one of my favorite saws. I got the wheel off (had never been pulled), but it was on there pretty good. No damage done. But, I am curious if applying a little bit of anti-seize compound to the crankshaft, or inside of the flywheel’s hole would make it any easier to loosen and pull the flywheel. I’m guessing not as I’ve not seen reference to that in any service manuals. Otherwise I was planning on putting a little lithium grease around the shaft, and hopefully pull it more frequently for routine cleaning so perhaps that’s all I need to do. Advice appreciated.
hi, it is not recommended to do that
True I did that with the impact on a flywheel key.
Can those piston stops be used on B&S engines to position TDC for valve adjustment???
I have never tried, but they won't work on most briggs
@@donyboy73 Are you aware if anyone makes such for a B&S to aid in valve adjustment?
@@REVNUMANEWBERN just google for a service manual
The right tool for the job. I say that every time I am messing around with something without the right tool, which takes me 10 times as long and usually breaking something.
Great information ! Thanks!!
I like the part when he showed how to protect my nut and my shaft very educative thanks
have a good x-mas don ... †
Unscrew the nut until flush with the shaft end, put a short socket over the nut, then use an air chisel tool to pound on the socket. The flywheel will pop off almost instantly with no possibility of damaging any part of the motor.
handy video and well explained!
Good point about trapping the rope!
What’s a good gasket sealer for a chainsaw cylinder
Dirko
donyboy73 which one for dirko
If you tighten the flywheel nut up with an impact wrench you can risk cracking the flywheel,so it should only be tightened up with a torque wrench !
Thanks Don ! 🎄🎄🎄
Thank you Dony.
How to open and install the MS 382 crankshaft chainsaw and what the key or tool looks like
Great info Donny. Have a great Christmas and a Very Happy New Year with all your family.
Where can i find the piston stop tool young man that is great tool to have in your tool box great advise there 👍😃😀😁 stay warm up there in canada
it will be on amazon or ebay
@@donyboy73 thx for the info my candian brother ,👍👍
Great tip!!!!
How to remove flywheel stihl 041 farm boss?
Very nice video!!!!
Awesome method there Donny mate cheers from Australia to Canada
Thanks, stone smooth!
Usually just hammering on the shaft(something soft not to damage it) will pop off the flywheel.
Cảm ơn bạn video rất hay chúc bạn sức khỏe tôi đến từ việt nam
How can a piece of rope in the cylinder keep the piston from moving?
The piston is trying to come up to the top of the cylinder and the rope piled up in the cylinder takes up the space at the top and the piston can't go fully up. You should watch (through the spark plug hole) for the piston to be almost at the top before you put the rope in and then shove in as much as you can. If the piston is near the top then you should eliminate the problem with the rope getting into the ports because they will be below the piston top. Actually the rope might be easier on the top of the piston than the steel peg which could put a dent in the top of the piston if you put too much cranking pressure on it.
Thanks Dave, now I get it. 👍
Safety 3rd!
Donyboy 73 is the flywheel the part that spins in a circle as you pull on the recoil?
yes
Thanks Don
I couldn't find the tool to remove the flywheel by hammering @ a reasonable price so... I took the nut off, reversed the nut and screwed it on nearly flush with the end of the crankshaft, a helper held the saw while, I using a ball peen hammer held on the nut I struck the rounded end of the ball peen hammer with my brass dead blow hammer, worked like a charm. you could also make your own tool from some scrap hex or round stock and drill and tap it . 8mm x 1.0 is the tread pitch, 7.1mm is the tap drill size for the Stihl 029 I have...your results may vary 😁 (Just don't knock the 3lb hammer off the bench and have it land on your instep, 1½ days later it still hurts 😣)
Most times the threaded plug will work... but after poking a hole in the piston I prefer a rope!!
Ouuups, depuis le temps que j'utilisais mon outil impact. Merci !
Yeah that's how I do it.. great video mate
Flywheel puller? Done! 2sec video!
310 stihl key way on flywheel repair
I realize this is 3yrs old but embarrassingly why does this work. Is it shocking/jolting the grip of the threads?
Thanks for your STIll improving methods of flywheel removal ! Once I tried to feel like a crank ball bearing though - while such BRUTAL hammer (even brass one) operation ;-) And I must say: IT DID HURT, really; ball bearing SHAN'T be treated with that axial stress! Probably it can enshorten durability of those two. My flywheel MODE D'EMPLOI is 1.Set two flat steels under flywheel AND MAKE the whole engine HANGING on them by two strong wooden boxes, 2. Loosen the flywh. nut up to last thread is not seen, 3. Hit is as you did, but by steel hammer AND hard WOOD SEPARATOR (aluminum could do as well). This way we can SEPARATE BEARINGS from any hammer-shock = cuz strains are transmitted directly into wooden boxes by means of two flats! Try mentally be with eiher crank bearing :-() That's all!
PS: I've also tried hanging the motor set under my working table with 4mm steel cable loop. The closed loop has embraced the crankshaft just UNDER the flywheel to be removed. Also effective method in case of problems with penetration of flat pieces under the flywheel. Bye, and choose the best!
I enjoyed your interesting message Adam and like your general idea of protecting the bearings by isolating the force of the hammer strikes to just the tapered areas by solid support of the flywheel and using the weight of the saw and gravity, but I don't think it actually helps, because it prevents vibrations that are beneficial in releasing the grip of the tapers plus I don't agree the bearings in this situation require the protection described so I think the method of less effort shown in the video of holding the saw in the air while protecting the threads is a much better choice.
@@JoeBlowski I've just imagined the balls making small dents in rings of crankshaft bearings at every stroke it that way!
@@adamasz54 I'm pretty sure that striking quite hard with a 2 pound steel sledge hammer is the most common method even by professionals and I never heard of bearing damage so I think your worry is totally unfounded. Bearings are extremely tough items and although I can't prove damaging them is impossible I'm pretty sure damage is in fact impossible, being a big hammer guy myself, but I could be all wrong.
Thanks
Nice trick.
Thank You.
Very informative, thanks.