rough turning live center

[mikem]

My SI SHUI, Shandong, China live center turns hard and rough. It turns so hard that the work usually just slips on the taper of the center. It has been in my collection for a while, only used once or twice--looks like new. There is a slotted head plug in the other end that I screwed out to look inside but got no clue from that. Any ideas how to make this work or am I due for a new one?

[KEJR]

Seems like something is wrong. I was thinking of getting an import live center, but I want to get a decent quality one. Maybe I'll stick with the dead centers for now after hearing about your experience. Is there no way to take it apart?

[mikem]

It is just one bad live center in the world, I wouldn't give up based on one that doesn't work.

I thought that maybe the plug in the opposite end covered a screw that would take it apart or where it could be tapped apart from the inside?

I thought that I would check in here to see if anyone has any ideas before I order a new one.

[hornluv]

I know the Skoda ones I use (very good centers, BTW), have a ring by the center that has two notches in it for unscrewing it. Then inside are the tapered rollers and a bunch of grease. See if there's something similar on yours.

[Ryobiguy]

My SI SHUI, Shandong, China live center...

I think you nailed the problem in the first sentence.

[Carld]

You can probably take it apart and maybe replace the bearings but by the time you do that you will wish you had bought a Royal or Skoda or some other name brand.

[Highpower]

I thought that maybe the plug in the opposite end covered a screw that would take it apart or where it could be tapped apart from the inside?

I recently replaced the bearings in a similar live center that was very rough. Removed the screw, inserted a round punch and applied a hammer -- popped right out. A bearing separator, arbor press and $8.00 worth of bearings and it's back in business.

[lane]

Take the plug out of the end. Take a long pin punch through the hole and knock the center out of the bearing . take the bearings out and replace . put back together . Be good again.

[mikem]

THANKS FOR THE TIPS!

Got most of it apart and maybe the problem is dried up grease and some junk in there. I got out a small coil of swarf like steel. The thrust bearings came out with the center but the radial deeper inside is still stuck in the bore. The punch won't catch the edge of it to push it out. The center hole bore is larger than the hole for the pin punch. I sprayed some oil in it and with the swarf out it feels 90% better.

My next idea is to take some brake cleaner and wash out the old grease and chips and put in some new grease. Is Brake cleaner OK for a solvent? I have auto grease but it seems too heavy. I have some white lithium grease that I think might be OK. It is a lot lighter viscosity. Or was the plug in the end for filling it with oil instead of grease? Maybe clean it out and put in some 30 weight oil? Thanks--MIke.

[Carld]

The brake cleaning solvent will work and compressed air to blow it out. I would use a high temp wheel bearing grease in it.