Support Pieces
The following pieces are required in the removal or install of almost every bearing.
Stud
Description: a.k.a. threaded rod. Made of high strength stainless steel.
Purpose: Together with the threaded fasteners, it does the squeezing of the tool. Needed for almost all uses.
Size: M8x1.25
Variations: It comes in three sizes. 120, 180 & 240mm lengths.
Other Required Pieces: Threaded fasteners, nuts, Stud Stop or Handle.
Tip: If you’re using the basic nuts as tightening, it might be handy to have different length versions of the Stud.
Standard Nuts
Description: two zinc plated steel flange nuts that can be operated by a 12 & 13mm wrench.
Purpose: Fit onto the Stud to do the squeezing.
Size: M8x1.25
Other Required Pieces: Stud
Tip: A little drop of lube on the surface that touches the adjacent piece will help the pieces slide against each other.
O-rings
Description: O-rings
Purpose: Use O-rings to keep tool pieces in place during removal and install.
Size: Fits M8 threaded Stud
Other Required Pieces: Stud
Tip: Use a piece with an 8mm hole (any Pilot or Drift RE) to help slide the O-ring onto or off of the Stud.
Handle
Description: Aluminum threaded handle.
Purpose: The handle replaces the standard nuts is a convenient way to apply force to the bearing PRESS. Not necessary, but pretty sweet.
Size: M8x1.25 thread
Variations: Comes in 3 colors, Sand du jour, Organic Cardboard & Dry Hero Dirt
Stud Stop
Description: This simple threaded nut that slides over the threads when it is tilted, but then engages the Stud when held square to the Stud.
Purpose: Replacement for Standard Nut which is real convenient for quickly setting a stop for the tool to PRESS against.
Size: M8x1.25 thread.
Other Required Pieces: Stud or ALT Extractor.
IMPORTANT: Go to the Stud Stop page to learn how to use it. Stud Stop >>>
General PLCC Pieces
The following pieces in the system are designed to perform th functions of PLCC (PRESS, LEVERAGE, CENTER & CLEARANCE).
Some pieces perform more than one function.
In General:
PRESS – Drift RE, ALT Drift or ALT Extractor
LEVERAGE – Drift RE & Sleeve
CENTER – Pilot
CLEARANCE – Sleeve & Drift RE
Drift RE
Description: These pieces serve many functions. Mostly PRESS and LEVERAGE. Designed with a flat side and a relief side to accommodate extended inner ring bearings.
Purpose:
The recess side can be used to PRESS on a bearing outer ring for install.
The recess side can be used to PRESS on a bearing outer ring of an extended inner ring bearing. The recess provides CLEARANCE for the inner ring.
The flat side can be used to PRESS both bearing rings at the same time for install.
Either side can be used to LEVERAGE an install in cramped places.
The recess side can be used to LEVERAGE the install of an extended inner ring bearing where, in the bearing final position, the bearing inner ring protrudes past the frame.
Either side can be used to LEVERAGE inside an open bearing seat when installing the first bearing in a hub. The seat needs a shoulder suitable to do this. The manufacturer will recommend it if necessary.
In the case of installing the second bearing in a preloaded BSB hub, the recess side can be used to LEVERAGE against a bearing outer ring. As per the manufacturer’s instructions.
Provide miscellaneous spacing and PRESSING.
Size:
16, 19, 21, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 35, 37 & 41
Drifts are Sized by their outer diameter. Designed to be slightly smaller than the bearing outer diameter.
The relief side provides 3mm deep of relief.
Size 41 is used for LEVERAGING the install of 37mm bearings.
Variations: Available in aluminum and acetal materials.
IMPORTANT: When PRESSING or LEVERAGING using the flat side, the opposite side (recess side) will often have a threaded part against it (nut, Stud Stop or handle). Make sure to fully support the recessed side.
Pilot
Description: These pieces are primarily used for CENTERING the tool, but can also be used for some PRESSING and spacing.
Purpose:
Pilots fit inside the bearing inner diameters and CENTER the tool.
Pilots fit inside the axle of over axle hub designs to CENTER the tool on the axle.
Short Pilots are great when you want to CENTER on a bearing, but the bearing final position dictates that there isn’t sufficient CLEARANCE for a long Pilot.
When installing the second bearing (like in many BSB configurations), Long Pilots are great for keeping the bearing spacer aligned with the second bearing inner ring.
Pilots larger than 12mm can be used for PRESSING or spacing functionality.
Size:
10, 11, 12, 15, 17, 18, 20, 23 & 25
Pilots are Sized by their outer diameter. Designed to be slightly smaller than a bearing inner diameter.
Size 23 is only available in Aluminum because it’s intended for PRESSING.
Variations:
Aluminum and acetal materials.
Long and short versions
IMPORTANT:
ONLY use the 10, 11 & 12mm pilots for CENTERING NOT for PRESSING.
When needing to CENTER the tool for work on bearings with inner diameter of 8 or 9mm, no Pilot is necessary. The Stud will CENTER the tool.
Step
Description: Companion piece to every Sleeve in the system.
Purpose: To work with the Sleeves to provide LEVERAGING and CLEARANCE for bearings, bike parts and other tool pieces.
Size: One Size for all Sleeves.
Variations: Aluminum and acetal materials. All Steps fit to all Sleeves. Aluminum Step to Acetal Sleeves etc.
Other Required Pieces: Sleeves, Sleeve 6, Sleeve Long
Sleeve
Description: LEVERAGING piece.
Purpose: These pieces are LEVERAGING pieces that work with the Step to provide CLEARANCE for bearings, bike parts and other tool pieces.
Size:
16, 19, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 35 & 37
Sleeves are Sized by their inner diameter. Designed to be 1mm larger than the bearing outer diameter.
Variations:
Aluminum is stronger than acetal and good for less stable LEVERAGE surfaces.
Acetal is softer than aluminum, and better for LEVERAGING against carbon or delicate surfaces.
Other Required Pieces: Step
IMPORTANT:
All LEVERAGE surfaces must always be:
Flat
Perpendicular to the bearing seat
Stable – covers whole sleeve or positioned in middle of sleeve
Aluminum Sleeves can handle partial support better than acetal Sleeves, but the LEVERAGE surface must be intended for this Purpose. Don’t try to use a bearing press on a LEVERAGE surface if your manufacturer doesn’t recommend it. Read more about LEVERAGING surfaces on the How-To page >>>
Sleeve 6
Description: It’s a Sleeve, but special.
Purpose: This part can LEVERAGE against the 6 Bolt disc side of a hub and provides CLEARANCE for bearings and/or the axle of an over axle hub design. If you don’t remove the disc, it can even be used against the bolt heads.
Size: One Size. Inner Diameter fits 37mm bearing outer diameter.
Variations: Only made of acetal.
Other Required Pieces: Step
Sleeve Long
Description: It’s a Sleeve, but special.
Purpose:
It can CENTER AND LEVERAGE the tool on a CENTER lock disc brake mount. The brake disc must be removed first.
Inner Diameter also fits 35mm bearing outer diameter.
Size: One Size.
Variations: Aluminum and acetal materials.
Other Required Pieces: Step
Stop OAL
Description: OAL (Over Axle Long) Stop. Special LEVERAGING and CLEARANCE …and CENTERING piece.
Purpose:
This part LEVERAGES against the drive side of an over axle hub providing CLEARANCE for the long freehub side of the axle.
It is also designed to LEVERAGE against the outboard side of XD/XDR freehubs for bearing removal. This provides CENTERING and CLEARANCE as well.
Size: Once Size.
Variations: Only made of acetal.
Stop CTR
Description: CTR (CENTERING) stop.
Purpose: This piece CENTERs the tool when LEVERAGING on an open bore. Good for install and some cases removal.
Size: One Size. It will CENTER on “holes” 14-50mm diameter.
Variations: Only made of acetal.
Tube Spacer
Description: It’s a tube.
Purpose: Just an extender kind of part to help reach inside spaces like to the far side of a hub.
Size: One Size.
Variations: Aluminum and acetal materials.
Specialty Pieces
The following pieces have pretty limited functionality, but are ESSENTIAL to some very common bearing configurations like removing the first bearing in a BSB configuration or installing an over axle hub bearing.
ALT Extractor
Description: A bearing removal specialist.
Purpose:
To remove the first bearing in a BSB configuration where the bearing spacer isn’t 10mm long or doesn’t move off it’s access.
Can also remove the bearing if the spacer does move.
Can also remove the bearing if there is no spacer.
Size:
10, 12, 15, 17, 18, 20 & 25mm
Sized to fit bearing inner diameters.
Variations:
Regular version and OG versions available. My kits that were sold before June 2024 have shorter Sleeves than my new Sleeves, so they require OG version ALT Extractors.
Also available in Valu Packs that save you money.
Other Required Pieces: Step & Sleeves
BUY: The ALT Extractor comes in individual Sizes and packs, so go to the ALT Extractor page to help you find the right solution. See ALT Extractor >>>
ALT Drift
Description: A bearing removal specialist.
Purpose: Used to remove the first bearing in a BSB configuration. Also works in configurations that don’t have the spacer.
Requirements:
The bearing spacer must be able to move off its axis by at least 1mm.
The bearing spacer must be at least 10mm long.
Size:
15, 17, 18, 20 & 25mm
Sized to fit bearing inner diameters
Variations: Aluminum only.
Other Required Pieces: ALT Rod, Pilot, Sleeve, Step, Stud, O-ring, Nut or Stud Stop
Tip: Good solution if your BSB moves off the axis and is minimum 10mm long. If you will run into a situation that doesn’t meet the requirements, you will need the ALT Extractor.
BUY: The ALT Drift comes in individual Sizes and kits, so go to the ALT Drift page to help you find the right solution.
ALT Rod
Description: Companion piece to ALT Drift.
Purpose: To hold and turn the ALT Drift.
Size: One Size.
Variations: Aluminum only.
Other Required Pieces: ALT Drift …and other pieces.
BUY: The ALT Drift comes in individual Sizes and kits, so go to the ALT Drift page to help you find the right solution.
Over Axle Drifts
Description: OA Drift (Over Axle Drift)
Purpose:
Used to PRESS bearings for installation in over axle hub configurations.
The recess side can be used to PRESS on a bearing outer ring only.
The flat side can be used to PRESS both bearing rings at the same time.
Size (IDxOD):
15x24, 15x26, 15x28, 15x30, 15x32, 17x26, 17x28, 17x30, 17x35, 18x30, 18x32, 20x32, 20x37, 25x37
OD of OA Drift = OD of bearing
ID of OA Drift = OD of AXLE!
NOTE: Bearing ID could be 17, but OD of axle you are installing over could be 15, so you want the OA Drift to fit nicely to the AXLE.
See “Explained” video at 5:27
Variations:
Acetal only
Note: Over Axle Drifts with ID 18, 20 & 25 only come in short versions.
Other Required Pieces: Drift RE to press on each end of the OA Drift.
IMPORTANT:
You need to PRESS on the Over Axle Drifts using a Drift RE. Do not PRESS on the Over Axle Drifts with the handle or Stud Stop. You will deform it.
If you want to learn more about the Over Axle Drifts, see the Over Axle Drift page >>>