Lt40 super idle side blade wheel bearing

[Waterford Woodworks]

I'm getting ready to replace the idle side bearing because there is a little play in it. My old mill didn't have any movement in the blade wheel and this one has just a little but enough to make me want to replace it before something gives. Has anyone had to replace it before? Does the bearing get pressed in? Is there anything I should look for when I have it apart?

[drobertson]

It is pretty straight forward, one snap ring, two bearings that are a light press fit. if it's wobbly, you might as well change it out.

[Magicman]

It is not a difficult change out.  Mine did not have slack, but it had developed a slight rumble.  I asked the WM traveling technician about it and he gave me the replacement sequence.  Of course, I have forgotten but a talk with WM when you order the replacement bearing would be all that you need.  I did use a press to replace the bearing in the wheel, not because it was tight, but I wanted the squareness of the press.

[Chuck White]

Don't jump to conclusions, there is supposed to be some movement in the idle-side wheel when there is no tension on it.

Put a blade on and get it tensioned up, then see if you still have movement!

There shouldn't be any detectable movement at this point!

[drobertson]

I'm a dummy! :D  I was thinking about the blade guide roller,  never had to change my 19" wheel bearing as of yet,  I think chuck said it, with the band off, the assembly will wobble some, but not with tension on the band.
sorry for the misunderstanding,

[Magicman]

I replaced mine because of a slight rumble sound that was developing.  Without going to the mill, I can not answer about any play that might be there. 

[pineywoods]

If in doubt, change em both. If one goes bad and the other one doesn't, your mill will do strange things. Don't ask how I know.  :

[drobertson]

there is wobble without the band blade on, but is comes from the tensioner housing rods,  once the slack is out of this minimal movement, the bearing can then be checked for wobble. 

[barbender]

I had to replace mine. The symptoms- I noticed the play increasing, the band tracking started acting strange, and then blades started breaking. They were easy to replace. I thi k the newer mills have a larger set of bearings, these ones look a little small for the task. My .02 ;)

[Waterford Woodworks]

I got the bearing replaced today. I definitely had play in the bearing and not just the tensioning rods. The replacement wasn't to bad. Patience and persistence and the blade wheel come off without damaging anything. The worst part about it is that big snap ring on the back of the blade wheel. Who has snap ring pliers that big? Everything is back together and the mill is sawing more consistent than it has before(since I bought it 3-4 weeks ago). I am a firm believer in maintaining equipment and Woodmizer couldn't have laid it out much easier then they have. The previous owner was not up to my standards of taking care of things but the price was right so I can't complain. Thanks for the advice. I always appreciate hearing from the group. There is so much experience here and it doesn't take long for someone to chime in with their knowledge.

[Magicman]

Congrats on the successful bearing replacement and also thanks for the follow-up reply.   ;D

[barbender]

Yep, glad you got it fixed and thanks for the follow up- Magic is still waiting for the follow up to the last problem I had with my WM, because I haven't gotten a chance to fix it yet :

[Magicman]

He has probably forgotten anyway.  ;D

We all help each other because another thread reminded me to pick up a replacement battery terminal this evening.  I have to get everything ship shape tomorrow because I have a fairly large SYP framing lumber job beginning Saturday AM.  Then another scheduled to start Wednesday AM.  It seems like too many folks are wanting it done before the end of the year.  It just happens.