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Any tips on removing front wheel bearings?
Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2011 4:25 pm
by mattUKNC
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?
Any tips on removing front wheel bearings?
Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2011 4:28 pm
by hannakournikova
Bigger mallet needed...
Re: Any tips on removing front wheel bearings?
Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2011 4:29 pm
by mattUKNC
hannakournikova wrote:Bigger mallet needed...
I was using the biggest I had!

Re: Any tips on removing front wheel bearings?
Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2011 4:30 pm
by Drunkn Munky
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
Re: Any tips on removing front wheel bearings?
Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2011 4:57 pm
by lizard821000
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.
Re: Any tips on removing front wheel bearings?
Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2011 5:10 pm
by vfrman
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...

Re: Any tips on removing front wheel bearings?
Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2011 5:23 pm
by mattUKNC
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...
Re: Any tips on removing front wheel bearings?
Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2011 5:50 pm
by mick.mh2racing
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.
Re: Any tips on removing front wheel bearings?
Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2011 6:47 pm
by lizard821000
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.
Re: Any tips on removing front wheel bearings?
Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2011 8:09 pm
by wangwang
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