Bearing race removal

[andy_braselton]

I’m preparing to replace my bearings in the front. I understand the Bentley manual recommends two different bearing race drivers for this. I don’t want to pay for them so I am looking into alternatives to help drive the bearing races into place without damaging them. Amazon has a 30$ kit of various sizes. It includes a 45mm driver which appears to be big enough. Does anyone have any experience with these. I know Porsche makes a set for this but I’m not interested in paying the hefty price.
On another note, do the races even need to be replaced??? Or are bearings enough in your opinion.

Thanks

[digitaldgp]

Drive the old races out with a drift punch going slowly around in a circle. Be careful not to damage the hub. Find a socket that match's the diameter of race to install the new ones, Important that you freeze the races for a few hours and warm up the hubs, either oven or gas grill, they will go in easier.

[Locker537]

Brass drifts are nice as they are softer metal and you are less likely to damage the aluminum hub.

Yes, the cheap seal/race driver kit will work. I have one from Harbor Freight and I used it for this job. It won't last forever as drivers are pretty soft, but at the price point that's OK.

Freezing the races and heating the hubs is often recommended, but I am curious if shops actually do this. I don't think most would.

[andy_braselton]

Thanks for the help. I’ll go with the Harbor Freight punches. Best wishes and happy holidays.

[MichaelSJackson]

Freezing and heating works at home. It's nice to have the little extra clearance.

Remember to heat the hole you want to enlarge, freeze the item that fits inside the hole.

[yelcab1]

There was a time when I would McGyver a home made tool for job like these. After having destroyed good parts, and not saving a lot of time making the tools, now I just buy the right tools.

[47silver]

I used the harbor freight wheel bearing kit. It has varoiuos size fittings and allows you to slowly and accurately pull the race into the hub. I would not pound it in as you can easily ruin your hub if you start it askew.
You could fashion an equivalent tool with some 1/2” all thread some nuts and washers.

[Bang4185]

So there's there's the inner bearing okay what we're looking to do is take the race out for the outer bearing.
rapidfs

[kevingross]

Your question is how to install new races. If you have the hub on your bench, my preference would always be to heat it so that the new outer races drop into place, without the need to drive / press them in. A plumber's handheld propane or MAP gas torch works great.

If you're also wondering about removal, again heat is your best friend. Brass drifts and gentle hammer work as needed, but do your best not to mar the hub. Good luck!

[911obgyn]

I have frozen the race, and heated the hub, drops right in first try, not so second try. Harbor freight tool is useful, all aluminum bits. Use a drift punch on the edge of the race and gently tap it out. Do not use old races with new bearings unless you want to do it again next year.