# PGM bearing spacer removal **URL:** \ **Category:** Yo-Yo Mods and Maintenance\ **Created:** [January 8, 2012, 5:24pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/pgm-bearing-spacer-removal/33627 "2012-01-08T17:24:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![AngryGumball](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/angrygumball/32/683872_2.png) [@AngryGumball](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/AngryGumball)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2012, 5:24pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/pgm-bearing-spacer-removal/33627/1 "2012-01-08T17:24:52Z")
As the title says, how would I remove the bearing spacer off of the PGM’s bearing? I need to clean it as it has some gunk in it making it as responsive as a looper. Or do I just soak it with the spacer attached? ---
**Author:** ![anonyo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8baadc/32.png) [@anonyo](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/anonyo)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2012, 5:50pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/pgm-bearing-spacer-removal/33627/2 "2012-01-08T17:50:39Z")
You will need to wedge a thin metal object between the bearing and the spacer and patiently work the two pieces away from each other. This can be a razor blade, a pin/needled or even a small flathead screwdriver. Don’t rush, take your time, it can take a bit of time, but usually not more than 5 minutes. ---
**Author:** ![AngryGumball](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/angrygumball/32/683872_2.png) [@AngryGumball](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/AngryGumball)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2012, 5:37am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/pgm-bearing-spacer-removal/33627/3 "2012-01-09T05:37:30Z")
I did get it removed but kind of dinged up my spacer a bit (small indentations from the needle). So far, it doesn’t seem to affect play. I did have a scary moment though when the tip of the needle broke, lodged between the spacer and bearing. I moved to something a little more durable being a push pin (as I saw on YYF’s youtube channel a while ago). I think next time, I should probably go for a razor blade instead so it’s not so much pressure on a small area. And I meant to check on that electrical contact cleaner earlier at Lowes when I was there. ---
**Author:** ![TheYoYoist101](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/theyoyoist101/32/842_2.png) [@TheYoYoist101](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/TheYoYoist101)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2012, 6:50am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/pgm-bearing-spacer-removal/33627/4 "2012-01-09T06:50:14Z")
Yea a needle is a bit too flimsy. I think a razor blade might be too thin aswell, I use a pocket knife by wedging the knife in between the the bearing and spacer than pushing blade down hard on a table. Usual works for me atleast. ---
**Author:** ![PlasticWhip](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/plasticwhip/32/896_2.png) [@PlasticWhip](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/PlasticWhip)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2012, 12:47pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/pgm-bearing-spacer-removal/33627/5 "2012-01-09T12:47:34Z")
Or you could clean the whole setup, bearing and spacers at the same time. ---
**Author:** ![jhb8426](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/jhb8426/32/631_2.png) [@jhb8426](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/jhb8426)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2012, 2:45pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/pgm-bearing-spacer-removal/33627/6 "2012-01-09T14:45:06Z")
> [@PlasticWhip](#): > > Or you could clean the whole setup, bearing and spacers at the same time. So how do you get the gunk out and dry it with the spacers attached? That’s a tighter seal than leaving the shields on to clean it. ---
**Author:** ![Puffpwn](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/puffpwn/32/978_2.png) [@Puffpwn](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Puffpwn)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2012, 3:45pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/pgm-bearing-spacer-removal/33627/7 "2012-01-09T15:45:19Z")
> [@jhb8426](#): > > > [@PlasticWhip](#): > > > > Or you could clean the whole setup, bearing and spacers at the same time. > > So how do you get the gunk out and dry it with the spacers attached? That’s a tighter seal than leaving the shields on to clean it. Electrical contact cleaner. That stuff penetrates everything. I cleaned my bearing while it was still in the yoyo… ---
**Author:** ![jhb8426](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/jhb8426/32/631_2.png) [@jhb8426](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/jhb8426)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2012, 3:47pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/pgm-bearing-spacer-removal/33627/8 "2012-01-09T15:47:07Z")
Yes, but how do you get it out. It’s still basically sealed. ---
**Author:** ![Puffpwn](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/puffpwn/32/978_2.png) [@Puffpwn](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Puffpwn)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2012, 4:19pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/pgm-bearing-spacer-removal/33627/9 "2012-01-09T16:19:53Z")
It dissolves the dirt so fine that it comes right out…