Need help replacing wheel bearings
 

I broke down today and decided to replace the old ball-bearings on my '52 half-ton with the roller-bearing conversions. I ran into a problem immediately and need your help. The inner race will not come off the spindle. I guess that is what it is called. It is the race that fits over the spindle and rests against the brake backplate. Should it just slide off? I have tried tapping a chisel between it and the backplate...nothing. I have tried grabbing it with pliers and twisting...nothing.

I have it sitting right now with penetrating oil soaking into it. I supposed I could apply heat, but with that brake cylinder sitting right above it I'm not sure I want to do that unless it is a last resort.

Please help.

daveboy

Re: Need help replacing wheel bearings
 

I've fought that fight a time or two. You are doing exactly what I would do but you may have to heat the race to get it off. I don't think there is much worry about the wheel cylinder as you can get the race hot enough to expand it a bit pretty quick. just concentrate the heat from the torch on the race.

Re: Need help replacing wheel bearings
 

If you have a Dremmel tool, you might try cutting the race with a small cut off wheel. I had to do that once only because I didn't have a torch.
Posted via Mobile Device

Re: Need help replacing wheel bearings
 

i'd try heat first, even a propane torch might do it, a little heat does amazing things to tight races
if that fails use a grinder with a cut off wheel, cut diagonally across the race and split the race with a chisel
you might damage the spindle a little, no worries, polish the surface with some emery cloth and slide the new race on

Re: Need help replacing wheel bearings
 

Well, I tried the heat from a propane torch and that did the trick...but just barely! I got it wedged out just enough so I could get the claw of a 4' crowbar in behind it. I kept prying on that while my son kept the torch on the race. I didn't think that sucker would ever come off, but I finally got it. I got the one hub all done today. Will start the other one in the morning and I hope it is a little easier.

Thanks for the help.

daveboy