Front Wheel Bearing Removal
- Thread starter coolum74
- Start date
What seems to be the problem? How are you going about it?
There isn't much to it. Get in there with a long punch or screwdriver and knock them out. You might have to push the spacer off to the side to get enough purchase on the inner race. Also move around the race taking a little bit at a time so the bearing doesn't get "cocked" in the seat as it comes out. It helps to heat the hub around the bearing to expand the alu. and it might take a pretty serious whack to get them moving.
My Ducati actually has a notch in the end of the spacer to fit a "special tool" which is nothing more than a piece of bar stock with a knob machined on it to fit in the notch. In my experience a screwdriver works fine. I did grind the tip to an angle so the thing contacts the race at more or less 90 deg.
There isn't much to it. Get in there with a long punch or screwdriver and knock them out. You might have to push the spacer off to the side to get enough purchase on the inner race. Also move around the race taking a little bit at a time so the bearing doesn't get "cocked" in the seat as it comes out. It helps to heat the hub around the bearing to expand the alu. and it might take a pretty serious whack to get them moving.
My Ducati actually has a notch in the end of the spacer to fit a "special tool" which is nothing more than a piece of bar stock with a knob machined on it to fit in the notch. In my experience a screwdriver works fine. I did grind the tip to an angle so the thing contacts the race at more or less 90 deg.
Like mentioned above, you can heat the alum hub at the bearing area. I've used a propane torch for this. I also just use a 12" piece of 3/4" round stock just because it's easier to hold in place for me and it's heavy enough to bang the internal spacer out of the way. Another thing I do is to use a magic marker and put 2 marks on the hub 180 degrees apart so I know where to hit the bearing without getting it cocked. Once 1 side is off I use a puller made from some large washers and threaded rod. I use it as a slide hammer. Use the same device to install the new bearings.
Tony
Tony
MattR
Super Moderator
Here is a tech article that I did on the rear wheel bearings. The front are similar except there is no retaining ring or double bearing on one side. The procedure is the same though.
http://www.gasgasrider.org/html/rear_wheel_bearings.html
http://www.gasgasrider.org/html/rear_wheel_bearings.html
Throw away your claw hammer and get a 3lb hammer. Then find a decent 5/8" (or bigger) drift punch or something suitable. You lose all of your power with a skinny punch. You will be amazed how easy it is with a good hammer and punch. And like cal_tony says, mark the bearing or pay attention because if you get it crooked as it comes out it will feel like it is welded in place.
out now, dirtseals seems o.k, shall i change them or just clean them up, and put them back in, out of the side thats got 2 sets of bearings in also out popped a washer, where can i get the bearing sizes from, as the shop i picked up new ones tday are all the same size, not getting much joy from him,
That washer HAS to go between the two bearings in the proper orientation or you will bind up the bearings when you tighten the axle. It should be pretty obvious to you which way to flip it if you didn't note it on disassembly.
I would just replace the seals. They are not that expensive.
If you have a couple days just order the bearing kit from Go Fasters. In my experience it was quite a bit cheaper than buying individual bearings from a bearing shop.
I would just replace the seals. They are not that expensive.
If you have a couple days just order the bearing kit from Go Fasters. In my experience it was quite a bit cheaper than buying individual bearings from a bearing shop.
ok thanks, as as you saidd about the price, bike shops around my area are getting quite expensive lately, next time i will learn my lesson, and shop around first,
So the inner races and balls blew out and you've still got an outer race stuck in there?
Those bearings musta really been shot...
I assume you can't get a drift to bite on anything to drive the race out from the opposite side?
Maybe get in there with a Dremel and grind some flats on the inside of the race so you've got something to hook your drift on?
I don't think you can get it hot enough to "fook" it up with a hot air gun. The paint would bubble before you did any damage to the alu hub. Make sure you're applying heat to the hub, NOT the race. Try dosing it with some penetrating oil too.
Those bearings musta really been shot...
I assume you can't get a drift to bite on anything to drive the race out from the opposite side?
Maybe get in there with a Dremel and grind some flats on the inside of the race so you've got something to hook your drift on?
I don't think you can get it hot enough to "fook" it up with a hot air gun. The paint would bubble before you did any damage to the alu hub. Make sure you're applying heat to the hub, NOT the race. Try dosing it with some penetrating oil too.
