North Star Ice maker

[petrock]

Does anyone have any experience with working on these North Star icemakers?

[NH3LVR]

Yes. What is the issue.

[petrock]

Can you remove the top gear hub without removing the drive key. The key just does not want to come out.
I need to change the top bearing on a model 40 icemaker

[NH3LVR]

You do not have to remove the key to pull the gear. Just use a Hydraulic Jack and a chain. Use two studs screwed into the gear with a chain welded to the top so you get a straight pull. You need to install a jacking screw in the bottom of the machine first. After the gear is off you will need to make a wrench to unscrew the bearing retainer if you do not have one. The directions are in the Manual. Be sure the new bearing is a snug fit on the shaft. Otherwise you need to weld it up and re-machine it. Do you have the Manual? If not Northstar might send you a copy.

[petrock]

That sounds perfect. Thank you for that. That was my thought exactly.
I have manuals from Northstar already.
I tried getting some input from them regarding my situation and I just keep getting responses from their spare parts division... Their support is totally ridiculous.
From their sales manager, he responded with

"Outside of using a penetrating oil, there isn’t much that can be done to save the key.In instances like this, your best course of action is to carefully drill out the key using a 3/8” drill bit, and chipping out the pieces that remain.
He followed up with.. " Do you need us to supply a new key ?

What a joke...

[NH3LVR]

I was lucky. I worked for a Company that had a long history with them and even had a few drinks with the Chief Engineer.
One thing to remember when using the large wrench. Put a SOLID bar through the wrench. And put a piece of pipe over that to pull tension on it. Then smack the bar with a sledge hammer.
The older machines had a left hand thread. They converted to right hand a long time ago.
Brings back memories-been almost 20 years since I worked on one.
Let me know how it goes.

[petrock]

Hey... You want to come to Ozz and give me a hand ?? :-) ...

[NH3LVR]

Been retired too long. Content to live on my past Glories. (and forget the not so glorious flub-ups)