more wheel bearings

[tsears]

I guess you could see this coming. I can't get the bearings out. I have ample hammers (and drifts), but the 3" or so spacer in the middle will not move over enough to get a firm tap on the inner race. The drift just slips off the edge. Am I doing something wrong? Can I bail out and have a shop remove them?

[xssiveone]

Re: more wheel bearings

Originally posted by tsears
I guess you could see this coming. I can't get the bearings out. I have ample hammers (and drifts), but the 3" or so spacer in the middle will not move over enough to get a firm tap on the inner race. The drift just slips off the edge. Am I doing something wrong? Can I bail out and have a shop remove them?

NO, you can't allow a shop to do this.... somewhere, it is written, not sure where, but it is forbidden.

Try turning the wheel over and starting on the other bearing first. Shouldn't make a difference, but stranger things have happened. As for the shop, about the only thing they might do different then you are doing is apply heat to expand the rim. Not sure I'd be happy about using a torch to heat to my cast wheels. You could try a heat gun, heats things up gradually.

Brian

[squarehdca]

I have used a socket head cap screw that just fits thru the inner race . Place the head of the bolt into or thru the inner race , put a small tack weld on the inner race, and then you can attach a slide hammer or other type of puller to the protruding bolt threads and dislodge the stubborn bearing.
Ed Q.

[tsears]

got the front whl brgs out!

Well, once again, waiting until morning, when my mind is fresh and the day is new - I went out and got them out. I used as wide a diameter drift as I could, and really smacked them with a sledge hammer until they started out. I had to work both sides a couple shots each. Once they start out, the spacer falls away and it is quite easy to do - and you can ease up with the hammer. Now I just have to wait for the replacement stuff from Zanotti's. BTW one bearing was completely sealed and one was sealed (shielded?) on one side only. Thanks again for the help, guys!