Graham Phantom Bearing Removal

"Having just acquired a Graham Phantom I've found the process of removing the unipivot bearing awkward and my technique seems to be getting worse with practice!!!"

Might help to explain why your removing the bearing as much as your post would indicate. If its because your experimenting with the level of damping fluid I would think having the arm clamp down and the arm at the resting position would be sufficient. That with handling it gently by having a thumb and index finger on either side if the housing directly below the bearing cap while turning the bearing out. Perhaps you are tightening the bearing to tight having to use as much force to remove it. You could slide the little piece of foam that came when shipped under the pivot housing to keep it in the same position it is with the bearing installed preventing it from dropping down before you remove the bearing.
Cheers

Thanks Has2be. Just looking ahead to when I'll need to remove it again (not dialed in yet but I think there's 0.5cc damping fluid in the bearing well as recommended)

I did consider using the arm clip to stabilise it but feared stressing the arm tube so elected to handle it loose(slightly dangerous without stylus guard).
I think Bob's warnings have too much of an effect and perhaps make us overly respectful of the dangers ;o)

My main concern was how much play was allowed in the arm wires? (I've heard 0.25" max but I doubt anyone has ever tested this to destruction :o)

I release the magnaglide by pushing the stabilising arm forward - to prevent any stress. I also have the arm cradle released to prevent any stress on the arm-tube. Then I use my left hand to lift the bearing housing: placing my thumb between the magnaglide post on the housing and the armtube and my forefinger on the opposite side, just behind the micropoise level. Using the tips of my finger and thumb under the housing I lift the bearing slightly out of the well - with the tips of those digits maintaining the gap.
Once this is done the housing can be held firmly and safely with the left hand while the bearing is unscrewed with the right.
I reverse this procedure to replace the bearing.

BTW, I have my fluid half-way up the square shank and have found this setting fine for a wide range of cartridges.

Tobes...your procedure is so well stated it should be cut & pasted into the Phantom manual. :o) However in my case the T/T is in a corner, accessed from the front and effectively boxed in 3 sides so lifting the bearing from behind the counterweight and maintaining safe spacing could be awkward for many? (Even then it looks like the least awkward solution given the alternatives)