wheel bearing removal Aaarrrghh!

[Norm]

Hi guys, I'm trying to replace the front wheel bearing on my daughters 1999 toyota yaris, I've got the knuckle off, removed the hub and removed the snap ring but I can't get the bearing out. I've got it in a ten ton press and have so far managed to dimple some 4 mm plate on top of a tube trying to push it out with the press but the bearing won't budge. I can't get any more pressure on it (think the press is at it's limit) and as its such an awkward shape I can't prop it steady enough so I can try smacking it out with a big hammer. Are there any tricks of the trade I can try ? I don't have any heating gear. I can go to my mates garage on Monday and use their 50 ton press but I don't like being defeated if I could do it myself.
thanks Norm

 

[Rig Pig]

You can try heating it up a bit but a bigger press is the real answer. Get the new bearing popped in at your mates as well.

 

[wyn]

If it's just the inner race, you could run a weld on the bearing surface and it might shrink it a bit.

 

[premmington]

Hi guys, I'm trying to replace the front wheel bearing on my daughters 1999 toyota yaris, I've got the knuckle off, removed the hub and removed the snap ring but I can't get the bearing out. I've got it in a ten ton press and have so far managed to dimple some 4 mm plate on top of a tube trying to push it out with the press but the bearing won't budge. I can't get any more pressure on it (think the press is at it's limit) and as its such an awkward shape I can't prop it steady enough so I can try smacking it out with a big hammer. Are there any tricks of the trade I can try ? I don't have any heating gear. I can go to my mates garage on Monday and use their 50 ton press but I don't like being defeated if I could do it myself.
thanks Norm

If you have the inner bearing out (with the balls). Wipe the grease out. Weld with a MMA welder or a big MIG. Three weld beads on the inside of the stuck shell. As the weld cools down, it will cause the shell to shrink, then thump it out with a 2lb hammer!

 

[Norm]

Thanks guys, I'll give that a try tomorrow. Do you think I will be able to get the new bearing in with my press or would I be better just taking the lot to mates garage and be done with?

 

[anto44]

I've used a die grinder to cut a small slot in the bearing. You don't have to cut all the way through the bearing or the whole way across it. If you just grind 2/3 of the way through the bearing wall and half the width it'll weaken the bearing enough and you'd be supprised how much easier it will press out.

 

[AndyStobbs]

Prop it on some (sacrificial) hardwood blocks and beat it with your hammer. Once you get it moved you can go back to the press.

 

[wyn]

Thanks guys, I'll give that a try tomorrow. Do you think I will be able to get the new bearing in with my press or would I be better just taking the lot to mates garage and be done with?

I'd put the new bearing in the fridge/freezer the day before and then push it in with the press.......maybe put the hub somewhere warm for a bit as well.

 

[Norm]

thanks guys plenty of food for thought there, very much appreciated, I've left it soaking in wd40 for the night and I'll give those suggestions a go tomorrow.

 

[Turfed]

I have worked with golf course machines for 40 years now. Premmington and Wyn are spot on, a bead of weld on the face of the bearing cup has always worked for me. A 2.5mm welding rod should be big enough. All you need is a steady hand!

 

[Fazerruss]

thanks guys plenty of food for thought there, very much appreciated, I've left it soaking in wd40 for the night and I'll give those suggestions a go tomorrow.

WD 40 is not a releasing fluid. You ought to get some plusgas formula A for freeing rusty bits ect. It probably won't help with this job but its useful stuff to have in the garage

 

[Norm]

WD 40 is not a releasing fluid. You ought to get some plusgas formula A for freeing rusty bits ect. It probably don't help with this job but its useful stuff to have in the garage

Thanks it's all I've got to hand at the moment, I'd really like some of the plus gas doubleboost uses Oxygen plus acetylene

 

[rtbcomp]

If the bearing is inside a hub, warm the hub so it expands away from the bearing.

If the bearing is on a shaft then warm the bearing so it expands away from the shaft.

You can freeze the whole lot first if you want to create a greater temperature difference during warming.

If you need to drift it out, belt it once with a drift, then move the drift to a point diametrically opposite the first blow and hit it again. Then go round 90deg, belt it, 180deg and belt it again and so on. This will move the bearing uniformly.

 

[doubleboost]

Thanks it's all I've got to hand at the moment, I'd really like some of the plus gas doubleboost uses Oxygen plus acetylene

Oxygen plus Propane works as well

 

[AndyStobbs]

Sticking it in the oven wont hurt either.

 

[Bill Edwards]

Even when the bearing race is inside a hub (i.e not on a shaft) running a bead of weld round it then immediately smacking it using the largest punch and a decent hammer will remove it.
A reasonable vice should be enough to install the new bearing, as you have a press I wouldn't be too worried. Run round the surfaces with some emery cloth to smooth any rough bits first for peace of mind, and apply some lubrication.

 

[malfazer]

standard option in most garages is to use air chisel between hub and inner face they fly off even when cocked from over due change just be carefull to put new one back on right way round colored side away from hub or abs will throw a huffy fit

 

[Norm]

Oxygen plus Pro

thanks I'm going to look into getting some form of heating rig, I watched your you tube video on the volvo wheeelbearing renewal and really could of done with some heat on the bottom balljoint nut, I don't think it had ever been off the car.

 

[premmington]

thanks I'm going to look into getting some form of heating rig, I watched your you tube video on the volvo wheeelbearing renewal and really could of done with some heat on the bottom balljoint nut, I don't think it had ever been off the car.

Show caution when heating grease filled ball joints (or near grease filled ball joints). They explode!

I have been doing the job for 32 years, I have seen most things that can go wrong!

 

[Norm]

Show caution when heating grease filled ball joints (or near grease filled ball joints). They explode!

I have been doing the job for 32 years, I have seen everything that can go wrong!

Thanks for the tip,I spent 35 minutes with an impact gun and a big breaker bar getting that nut off and I was about to explode