Any tips on removing front wheel bearings?

Post by **mattUKNC** » Thu Mar 17, 2011 4:25 pm

As the wheel is off awaiting new front discs I thought I'd change the bearings.
I have a long punch/ drift, but these [insert expletive] won't come out!

Any suggestions? Would a puller be any better?

hannakournikova · Post by **hannakournikova** » Thu Mar 17, 2011 4:28 pm

Bigger mallet needed...

Post by **mattUKNC** » Thu Mar 17, 2011 4:29 pm

hannakournikova wrote:Bigger mallet needed...

I was using the biggest I had!

Post by **Drunkn Munky** » Thu Mar 17, 2011 4:30 pm

You should be able to get the drift on the edge of one of the inner races, give it a whack and work around the bearing till loose. It gets easier once you've got it moving

Post by **lizard821000** » Thu Mar 17, 2011 4:57 pm

a bigger hammer yes lol

is there a inner tube inside the hub?? some bikes have them, spacer. if so, that will /can be tapped to the side more so more bearing lip will show for drifting.

vfrman · Post by **vfrman** » Thu Mar 17, 2011 5:10 pm

And remember you need to go from the inside of the wheel! You should be able to shift the tube a little so you can get a bite on the inner bearing surface. If you try to drive straight through you will break the cast lip on the wheel. But I bet you knew this already...

Post by **mattUKNC** » Thu Mar 17, 2011 5:23 pm

vfrman wrote:And remember you need to go from the inside of the wheel! You should be able to shift the tube a little so you can get a bite on the inner bearing surface. If you try to drive straight through you will break the cast lip on the wheel. But I bet you knew this already...

Yep, it just won't budge.
Worked my way around the bearing, even once I thought, that must have just moved, but no.

Haynes says start on right bearing, with punch through the left side, but no joy. I might have to revisit...

Post by **mick.mh2racing** » Thu Mar 17, 2011 5:50 pm

If you place your place your drift through the hole where the spindle goes and knock it sideways to effectively dislodge the inner sleeve. This gives you plenty of wheel bearing to hit. Give it some, erm ......... hammer. It might take a bit to start it moving but just keep working your way round and out it'll come.

Post by **lizard821000** » Thu Mar 17, 2011 6:47 pm

12,6,3,9 oclock movments mate, she ll come.

if its still a twat try heating up around the hub area abit then whack.

Post by **wangwang** » Thu Mar 17, 2011 8:09 pm

Just done mine, as a drift I used an old engine mount bolt with a flanged nut put on backwards, so the flange is at the front, this then gives you good purchase to hit the bearing at 12,6,3 and 9 as previously stated.
wang