# Stuck Spacer Help **URL:** \ **Category:** Yo-Yo Mods and Maintenance\ **Created:** [July 14, 2024, 10:43pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/stuck-spacer-help/405508 "2024-07-14T22:43:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![yoyojoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/e99b99/32.png) [@yoyojoe](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/yoyojoe)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2024, 10:43pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/stuck-spacer-help/405508/1 "2024-07-14T22:43:45Z")
Anyone have any ideas on how to dislodge this spacer? I just got this yoyo in the mail and wanted to swap out the spacers for it, but it appears someone tried this before. Also the axle cannot be removed from the yoyo. Any advice would be appreciated! ![1000004058](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/uploads/yoyoexpert1/original/4X/f/e/f/fef161185541139ecd9137f38d42e669dce188ce.jpeg) ![1000004057](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/uploads/yoyoexpert1/original/4X/f/4/0/f4059524d105442922475ff0fbb9579d243be414.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![DaneMartin](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/danemartin/32/291735_2.png) [@DaneMartin](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/DaneMartin)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2024, 11:00pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/stuck-spacer-help/405508/2 "2024-07-14T23:00:55Z")
Edit- misread. Thought you said axle, but now I see spacer. Don’t do the below unless the axle is a set screw type. If it has a bolt head, don’t read further…. lol Double nut it like a jam nut and pull it out with a crescent wrench. If you don’t care about the axle, a number 10 vice grip Chuck the axle in an unplugged drill press and spin the yo-yo half off by hand. The drill Chuck can hold it harder than anything. ---
**Author:** ![yoyojoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/e99b99/32.png) [@yoyojoe](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/yoyojoe)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2024, 11:28pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/stuck-spacer-help/405508/3 "2024-07-14T23:28:56Z")
Yeah it’s a bolt so no axle removal ---
**Author:** ![Captrogers](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/captrogers/32/647012_2.png) [@Captrogers](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Captrogers)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2024, 12:03am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/stuck-spacer-help/405508/4 "2024-07-15T00:03:38Z")
Is there a cap that can be popped off and bolt removed? ---
**Author:** ![Yo-yo\_Power](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/f07891/32.png) [@Yo-yo\_Power](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Yo-yo_Power)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2024, 12:04am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/stuck-spacer-help/405508/5 "2024-07-15T00:04:44Z")
That’s what I was thinking ---
**Author:** ![yoyojoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/e99b99/32.png) [@yoyojoe](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/yoyojoe)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2024, 12:04am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/stuck-spacer-help/405508/6 "2024-07-15T00:04:54Z")
No, the bolt is press fit into the throw. The throw is an og underdog for reference. ---
**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:** [July 15, 2024, 12:13am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/stuck-spacer-help/405508/7 "2024-07-15T00:13:14Z")
That’s not a spacer, that’s the bearing seat. ---
**Author:** ![yoyojoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/e99b99/32.png) [@yoyojoe](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/yoyojoe)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2024, 12:15am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/stuck-spacer-help/405508/8 "2024-07-15T00:15:14Z")
![1000004060](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/uploads/yoyoexpert1/original/4X/9/c/9/9c94a4226ed8e01338eb19d70fcc342b2569f9d6.jpeg) ![1000004059](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/uploads/yoyoexpert1/original/4X/b/e/5/be5d2b6770ddfc99d04a65ed0552a989d2948c85.jpeg) This is an old school design that uses Duncan spacers. I took a picture of the half that isn’t messed up. ---
**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:** [July 15, 2024, 12:17am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/stuck-spacer-help/405508/9 "2024-07-15T00:17:39Z")
OK, but isn’t that basically the bearing seat then? Not contradicting because I know you’ve been around awhile. ---
**Author:** ![DaneMartin](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/danemartin/32/291735_2.png) [@DaneMartin](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/DaneMartin)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2024, 12:27am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/stuck-spacer-help/405508/10 "2024-07-15T00:27:01Z")
For any shaft or difficult spacer removal, I use a set of pliers for RC helis. I have a really old set from Hirobo but these are about the same. I prefer straight ones, so maybe search around. But the round part in the center is made for gripping hardened round shaft or threads > **[Amazon.com: Hobbypower RC Helicopter Tool Ball Link Plier for Trex 450 : Toys...](https://www.amazon.com/Hobbypower-Helicopter-Tool-Ball-Plier/dp/B00DU4A19I)** > > Suit for:Trex 250 450 500 600 Quality curved tip ball link pliers with anti-rust feature for long lasting. Length: 139mm Width: 54mm Jaw length: 42mm Jaw opening: 34mm Ball opening: around 4.5mm ¡¡ Package: 1x Ball Link Plier Product... ---
**Author:** ![yoyojoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/e99b99/32.png) [@yoyojoe](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/yoyojoe)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2024, 12:38am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/stuck-spacer-help/405508/11 "2024-07-15T00:38:25Z")
Thanks, I just ordered a set. @DaneMartin @jhb8426 I’m not positive if they’re actually called Duncan spacers. That’s just what I’ve called them. They are a bearing seat as well. ---
**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:** [July 15, 2024, 3:46am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/stuck-spacer-help/405508/12 "2024-07-15T03:46:09Z")
To remove the spacer/bearing seat - Have you tried to use the back end of a drill bit the same size as the hole and rock it out similar to using a bearing tool to remove a bearing? Silly me, just realized you have to get the axle out first… Way back when… You could increase the gap of a Duncan FH by placing a thin washer behind the bearing seat. That was my only experience with them ---
**Author:** ![yoyojoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/e99b99/32.png) [@yoyojoe](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/yoyojoe)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2024, 6:09pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/stuck-spacer-help/405508/13 "2024-07-16T18:09:31Z")
No luck with the custom pliers. Any other ideas would be welcomed. @kyo and @yoyospirit maybe you have some ideas. ---
**Author:** ![Fun\_Dad69](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/6bbea6/32.png) [@Fun\_Dad69](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Fun_Dad69)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2024, 6:20pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/stuck-spacer-help/405508/14 "2024-07-16T18:20:10Z")
Sick it in the freezer for a few hours. The cold should shrink the metal ---
**Author:** ![yoyojoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/e99b99/32.png) [@yoyojoe](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/yoyojoe)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2024, 6:20pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/stuck-spacer-help/405508/15 "2024-07-16T18:20:34Z")
Already tried the freezer with no luck. @Fun_Dad69 ---
**Author:** ![Yo-yo\_Power](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/f07891/32.png) [@Yo-yo\_Power](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Yo-yo_Power)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2024, 7:58pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/stuck-spacer-help/405508/16 "2024-07-16T19:58:56Z")
Please update if you find a solution. ---
**Author:** ![DaneMartin](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/danemartin/32/291735_2.png) [@DaneMartin](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/DaneMartin)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2024, 10:11pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/stuck-spacer-help/405508/17 "2024-07-16T22:11:57Z")
So…… without actually holding it it’s hard to say. However, being that stuck I would make a small turning tool and put the yo-yo half in the lathe and make a relief cut around the OD of the spacer. It’ll either cut and allow it to come right out, or the tool pressure will grab it and unthread it off the axle anyway. ---
**Author:** ![kyo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/df705f/32.png) [@kyo](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/kyo)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2024, 10:33pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/stuck-spacer-help/405508/18 "2024-07-16T22:33:12Z")
Yikes that’s a delicate job. I’ve had this problem with other yoyos… I think in most cases I’ve had to just put it on the lathe and cut it free very carefully. With that particular yoyo it’s extra tricky because of how the axle system works. The only other option is good pliers and a strong grip. The problem is that those spacers are made of bubblegum and they deform pretty easily (thus the problem you’re having).