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Author Topic: How 2 Remove Xetron Platter Bearings? Jim Cassedy Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1661 From: San Francisco, CA Registered: Dec 2006 posted 10-25-2010 10:03 AM                     I have a Xetron (Strong) XNR 335 platter with a bad lower bearing on one of the decks. The upper bearing is clearly held in place by a retaining clip. But I don't see one on the lower bearing. I tried tapping the lower bearing out from the inside (using a small piece of wood to avoid damage) but it wouldn't budge. I didn't want to use too much force for fear of breaking something. > So, does anyone know to get that lower bearing out? Should I just start wacking it harder? Thanks!  |  IP: Logged Tony Bandiera Jr Film God Posts: 3067 From: Moreland Idaho Registered: Apr 2004 posted 10-25-2010 12:31 PM                     Jim, is that bearing flush with the bottom of the platter deck hub? If so it won't come out as you are simply pounding it onto the ground. You'll need to support that deck hub with a cut piece of pipe or a socket that will allow the bearing to drop into. Spray some WD-40 down into the hub, soaking that bearing outer race good, let it set for a bit then one sharp whack should pop it out. Another trick is to use a heat gun (NOT a torch) to heat up the outside of the hub evenly, as that will expand it enough to loosen the hub's grip on the bearing. Finally, when you put the new bearing in, put it in the freezer for several hours first to shrink it so it will drop right in.  |  IP: Logged Jim Cassedy Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1661 From: San Francisco, CA Registered: Dec 2006 posted 10-25-2010 04:04 PM                     Thanks Tony. I'm working on another project today but I'll give your suggestions a try tomorrow morning. I like the freezer idea! That sounds like a good plan!  |  IP: Logged Tony Bandiera Jr Film God Posts: 3067 From: Moreland Idaho Registered: Apr 2004 posted 10-25-2010 04:53 PM                     You're welcome. I got the freezer trick from an old-timer machinist.  |  IP: Logged Eric Robinson Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 538 From: Santa Rosa, CA Registered: Jan 2005 posted 10-25-2010 11:58 PM                     quote: Tony Bandiera Jr Another trick is to use a heat gun (NOT a torch) to heat up the outside of the hub evenly, as that will expand it enough to loosen the hub's grip on the bearing. Finally, when you put the new bearing in, put it in the freezer for several hours first to shrink it so it will drop right in. I learn something new here all the time. Thanks I cant tell you how many parts I have lightly sanded with emery cloth to get them to fit. Arrrg  |  IP: Logged Tony Bandiera Jr Film God Posts: 3067 From: Moreland Idaho Registered: Apr 2004 posted 10-27-2010 01:32 PM                     You're welcome Eric. Glad I could help.  |  IP: Logged Scott Balko Expert Film Handler Posts: 136 From: Redwood Falls, Minnesota, USA Registered: Apr 2000 posted 10-28-2010 11:05 PM                     Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe the XNR 335 has a tapered roller bearing on the bottom. After the platter is removed and the seal is pulled, the bearing just falls out like an automotive wheel bearing. The bearing race is what's pressed in and needs to be driven out with a pin punch. Any automotive supply store should have the bearing and seal as they are a common item. They should also have the bearing driver to re-install the replacement bearing race.  |  IP: Logged Tony Bandiera Jr Film God Posts: 3067 From: Moreland Idaho Registered: Apr 2004 posted 10-29-2010 08:37 PM                     Scott, you may be right, in which case my advice will still work to remove the lower bearing race.  |  IP: Logged Mark Gulbrandsen Resident Trollmaster Posts: 16657 From: Music City Registered: Jun 99 posted 10-30-2010 04:50 PM                     I used a Sledge Hammer on the last ones... I mean that literally! I pulled every Neumade and Xetron platter out of a chain I service and replaced them all with rebuilt AW-3's. All the trouble went to the junk yard with the old platters! Mark  |  IP: Logged Louis Bornwasser Film God Posts: 4441 From: prospect ky usa Registered: Mar 2005 posted 10-30-2010 09:57 PM                        I see Louis' system of Preventive Destruction is alive and well!! Louis  |  IP: Logged Sean McKinnon Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1712 From: Peabody Massachusetts Registered: Sep 2000 posted 10-31-2010 12:50 AM                        What? You mean you don't find it fun replacing IR sensors in feedplates all the time?  |  IP: Logged Jim Cassedy Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1661 From: San Francisco, CA Registered: Dec 2006 posted 10-31-2010 09:44 AM                     Thanks for all the advice. I haven't actually pulled the bearing out yet since I had to shift some priorities around this week and was able to make do by swapping the deck out from another platter for now. But I DO need to replace a bad lower bearing in the one I pulled off. It's definitely shot! You can feel it when you try to turn it with your finger, and it made a horrible screeching noise just before it seized up. . . It sounded like a cat getting a colonoscopy.  |  IP: Logged Mark Gulbrandsen Resident Trollmaster Posts: 16657 From: Music City Registered: Jun 99 posted 10-31-2010 01:39 PM                     Exactly Louis! We had monthly sheets with problems listed on them just from the southern end of the state... typically 120+ problems a month. I tackled the problems a couple of times over the summer but it was hopeless both for getting parts and there is still poor reliability factor in those platters. Once I pulled the Xetron and Neumade's out the problem list went to something like 20 to 30 issues a month. And since weeding out the platters I have weeded out much other problematic gear... ORC lamphouses, some automation, etc. and the list has further declined to the point where I can now almost just do normal service runs a few times a year. My previous employer was making a killing keeping all this crap running and now the operators of the chain realize that!! BTW: The cost to replace everythng so far has been less than 15K. The owners are happy, the employees are happy and most importantly customer complaints are now almost non existant. quote: Sean McKinnon What? You mean you don't find it fun replacing IR sensors in feedplates all the time? Nope... and with Neumade being in a so-so position... selling off much of their stock on Ebay now the parts situation is touch and go so the platters had to go. They were literally sold for scrap value at the junk yard! Mark  |  IP: Logged Sean McKinnon Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1712 From: Peabody Massachusetts Registered: Sep 2000 posted 11-01-2010 02:22 AM                        it is too bad that they couldnt get the electronics right in the NXP because when they were properly calibrated they were very smooth and quiet, unfortunately by the end of the first show the calibration would be all over the place again. I once ran a 10 plex (5 booths) with three 5 deck NXP platters feeding 2 screens each two 3 deck models and one 35/70 3 deck model (all DCP-1000 and DFP-D2000 also) it was a fun fun place!  |  IP: Logged Mark Gulbrandsen Resident Trollmaster Posts: 16657 From: Music City Registered: Jun 99 posted 11-01-2010 09:44 AM                     Sean... It seems there was very little they could get right... Noel Makisoc had finally got a good design down for them on the Neutronic drive card after all these years... but then he had to depart. With Noel gone there is simply no chance so I am glad that Neumade is also gone! Mark  |  IP: Logged

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