front wheel bearing

Post by **mowogg** » Fri May 09, 2008 8:42 pm

I have just tired to take the front hub off to replace the wheel bearing and the inner bearing has exploded on removal. I cannot remove teh casing from the stub axle -is there a trick? I do not have a bearing puller but is this what i need to proceed?

Post by **Willie** » Fri May 09, 2008 8:44 pm

The inner bearing almost always falls apart. you can start the inner ring
by tapping around its circumference with a thin wedge(an old wood chisel is ideal) until there is enough space to insert a puller,or, if you cannot borrow one then just gradually lever the ring off.

Post by **mowogg** » Fri May 09, 2008 8:47 pm

I have tried to move it with a hammer and wedge but ther is not sign of movement after 30 minutes?

Post by **Willie** » Fri May 09, 2008 8:53 pm

I have never had any problem as long as I used a sharp thin wedge
(the chisel again) and only hit once on each diametricaly opposed side.
if you move it a couple of thou" and then hit the same side again you can lock it solid. You should have the flat side of the chisel against the stub axle boss and the sloping side against the bearing. If that fails you might have to resort to the judicious application of heat!

Post by **8009STEVE** » Sat May 10, 2008 8:13 am

Grind a flat on it first, then chisel.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Thu May 15, 2008 11:33 pm

Strange - the bearing must have been v badly worn, or has seized on the shaft due to burrs. Any front hub I have dealt with has just pulled off by hand complete with bearings. You may have to heat it (gas blow torch) - or grind it as Steve suggests - in which case take care not to touch the shaft! Best clean up the shaft with fine paper before fitting the new bearing.