TOOLS I USE AND RECOMMEND
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6001 or 12mm Wheelchair Bearings Removal and Installation Tool Kit
$49.99
If this complete kit is out of stock. Order the bicycle press kit and pin punch set from Amazon and get the 6001 (28mm) extractor for $19.99)
Caster Fork Bearing Replacement
These are tools and consumables you can use for replacing your caster fork bearings. Most forks are either a top/bottom insert style with a spacer or ridge to separate the 2 bearings, or a top insert style the uses an internal retaining (snap) ring to separate the bearings. These are exposed to water, dirt, and salt more than any other wear part, and can impact rolling resistance and steering. These should be replaced every 6-12 months. These usually come in either 1/2” or 28mm. 28mm is found on Quickie chairs and many walkers. Quickie chairs will normally also have a need for 1/2” bearing on the rear rims.
If you get a combo bearing press kit you should at least get the bearing extractor tool for your bearings from Wheelchairbearings.com rather than Amazon.
Detailed demonstrations or using both methods are available here on our YouTube page.
Recommended scrap wood jigs
Piece of wood with 3/4” (19mm) and 1 3/8” (35mm) holes drilled in it, and set on 2x2 or 2/4 feet.
This makes a stand that can used for removing bearings from both caster wheels, caster forks, and rear rims.
For top-insert caster forks sanding a little more ID from a 1 3/8 hole will allow you to perfectly mount a TiLite fork for top access removal.
Tools and Consumables for Most Tasks
These are tools and consumables you can use for most recommended maintenance tasks
6001 or 12mm Wheelchair Blind Bearing Puller/Extractor (only, no press)
This can be used with the pin punch and bicycles bearing press kit from Amazon.
$19.99
Attention Quickie Chair users with 28mm (6001) bearings in the caster forks and 1/2” in the axles.
I recommend getting a either the bicycle bearing press kit ($36-45) listed at the top of the page for the press and a 6001 extractor ($20) or the 12mm (6001) Wheelchair Bearings Removal and Installation Tool Kit ($50) from Wheelchairbearings.com plus the 1/2 inch extractor ($20). The 1/2” R8 extractor will be too big for the 28mm 6001 bearings inner race and the the R8 bearing press drifts will have too large of a ID tube as well.
The 6001 bearing extractor will be too small to for rear wheel bearings but those can be removed using a separate 1/2” R8 extractor or pin punch and long socket.
Most chairs use R8 1/2” bearings on both the caster forks and rear rims, but some Quickie models have these issues.
Rear Rim Bearing Replacement
These are tools and consumables you can use for replacing your rear rim bearings. These are exposed to water, dirt, and salt less than other wear parts, but can will impact rolling resistance and steering. These should be replaced annually. These usually come in either 1/2” inner diameter (ID) and are generally R8, but check your chair’s guide or the which bearing section of Wheelchairbearings.com.
You can use the same R8 press and extractor kit listed above to remove the bearings. I have found evenly tapping out the close side with a punch pin and then using a properly sized (5/8) long socket set allows me to safely remove the quick axles’ deep bearings quickly and easily. I pair these up with the Eastwing rubber mallet. I love using the press from WCB though.
I don’t mind using a socket to remove them since I do not clean and repack the old bearings. I have not found a pick small enough to remove the rubber seal without damaging it yet, so I just replace with new bearings.
Detailed demonstrations or using both methods are available here on our YouTube page.
Mini-Hand press for caster bearings
Allows you to hand tighten bearings into your caster wheels with no wrenches needed.
Use R6 or 608 bearing drifts from any bearing press set, or the Wheelchairbearings.com Blind Bearing Extractor/Installer Mini Tool Kit.
R8 or 1/2" Wheelchair Blind Bearing Puller/Extractor (only, no press)
This can be used with the pin punch and bicycles bearing press kit from Amazon.
$19.99
Tools from Wheelechairbearings.com
Caster Bearing Replacement
These are tools and consumables you can use for one of the most frequent maintenance tasks you should do. Replacing your wheelchair’s caster wheel bearings. These are exposed to water, dirt, and salt more than any other wear part, and can impact rolling resistance and steering. Should be replaced every 3-12 months depending on environmental conditions. Some listed tools are available from Wheelchairbearings.com rather than Amazon. You’ll need either the Pin Punch set and a hammer or the 608 (8mm) or R6 (3/8”) R6 or 3/8" Wheelchair Blind Bearing Extractor/Installer Mini Tool Kits from Wheelchairbearings.com. The mini tool Kits come with a blind bearing extractor and press drifts, but I recommend the thru know modification to make pressing easier.
Detailed demonstrations or using both metods are available here on our YouTube page.
Piece of wood with 3/4” (19mm) and 1 3/8” (35mm) holes drilled in it, and set on 2x2 or 2/4 feet.
This makes a stand that can used for removing bearings from both caster wheels, caster forks, and rear rims.
Finish Line Dry Bike Lubricant - 4 oz. Squeeze Bottle
Tools from Wheelechairbearings.com
90° L-jig stand with stop for bottom bearing removal.
If your forks require one bearing to be removed from the bottom, you can use a second set of hands, vice, or this L-jig to hold the fork while you tap the bearing out of the bottom using the bearing extractor tool and a pin punch.
The key here it to have the fork upright, with the bottom hole unrestricted, and finally a block of wood mounted to the bottom to keep the fork from sliding forward.
