Changing races on wheel bearing hub - Help -

[Baylinercapri1987]

I need to know a good way of getting the old races out of the wheel bearing hub and getting new ones in. Can anybody help? Thanks

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Changing races on wheel bearing hub - Help -

The inner and outer races on a hub are pressed or driven into place with an arbor press or bearing driver. They must also be driven out. The outer race is driven from the back side of the hub. The inner race is drivenout from the front side of the hub. You need a large drift punch and a hammer. Feel around the back side of the race and you will feel some notches. Place the punch in that notch and strike it with a hammer. It takes a fair poke to get them loose so don't be bashful. It helps to locate the notches if you clean out the hub first. Driving the new race in is the reverse. Place the race on the hub. Place a 2x4 or similar block of wood on the race and strike it with the hammer. This gets the race started squarely in the hub. Continue to drive the race until its outer edge is flush with the hub. You will now need a bearing driver or another metal object that is slightly smaller than the race to drive it the rest of the way in. I use a galvanized pipe coupling. You can use the drift punch, but one slip and you ruin the race. Plus it puts a lot of stress on the race and you could crack it. Lastly, if you put the race in the freezer for a few hours to shrink it, and heat the hub in the oven to expand it, the race will go in much easier. Do this when your significant other is not around.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Changing races on wheel bearing hub - Help -

Just to add what Silvertip said...As you are driving out the race, make sure you work the punch along the circumferance of the race so that it does not get cocked. Also, make sure you use safety glasses.

Like Silvertip said, some hubs have notches, but some just have a lip that the race sits against. Be careful with your punch not to score the bore of the hub as you are driving it out.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Changing races on wheel bearing hub - Help -

Using a material that is slightly softer than the hub will stop you scoring it.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Changing races on wheel bearing hub - Help -

Using a material that is slightly softer than the hub will stop you scoring it.

This is true...a brass drift would be best.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Changing races on wheel bearing hub - Help -

here's good maint, info

http://www.championtrailers.com/techsup.html

 

[jtexas]

Re: Changing races on wheel bearing hub - Help -

"slightly smaller than the race", silvertip? is your pipe coupling in contact with the edge of the race, or down on the face?

"Just to add what Silvertip said...As you are driving out the race, make sure you work the punch along the circumferance of the race so that it does not get cocked. Also, make sure you use safety glasses."

I had one coming out cockeyed, partly out of the hub - I was studying how to get it the rest of the way out, saw a spark and it just shattered. Half a dozen sharp pieces went flying, one hit my eyelid, just a scratch, though.

[btw, I have yet to successfully install a race]

 

[BoatBuoy]

Re: Changing races on wheel bearing hub - Help -

Took mine to an autoparts that had their own machine shop. $5.00 per hub to press the old races out, the new races in, and pack the new bearings.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Changing races on wheel bearing hub - Help -

You never want to have anything touching the face of the race...you will ruin it. I always start the new race with the old one. Once the new race is flush with the hub, I use a very small punch to drive it in the rest of the way.

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Changing races on wheel bearing hub - Help -

[colour=blue]I usually punch out the old race, then give it a slight linish so that it slips in/out easily from the hub - I then use the old race as a drift to press in the new race.