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Wheel bearing removal

B

bellisan

New member
Joined
Feb 13, 2006
Location
Shingle Springs
Moto(s)
CB400F, '01 SV650S, '05 SV650R, '12 1199
Name
Lou
Hi,
I need to remove the bearings on the front wheel of a GSXR-600/750. Manual says to use special tool xxx. I have a 3-jaw bearing puller but it does not get a purchase because the spacer between the bearings is too flush. Suggestions? I'm considering putting an internal snapring in there to see if it provides more grip, but have not tried it yet. TIA.

Cheers

Lou
 
Go through the far side with a long punch and tap it out.
 
afm199 said:
Go through the far side with a long punch and tap it out.
Click to expand...

If you do this, make sure you work the bearing out evenly, so it doesn't get crooked inside the bore. Work in a star or + pattern by tapping on top, then bottom, then left and right.

The other fun thing to do if you have the resources is to heat the wheel. It'll expand, and then you flip it over and the bearing just falls out. The new one will just drop right in, then as the wheel cools the press fit will come back.
 
zoomsplat said:
If you do this, make sure you work the bearing out evenly, so it doesn't get crooked inside the bore. Work in a star or + pattern by tapping on top, then bottom, then left and right.

The other fun thing to do if you have the resources is to heat the wheel. It'll expand, and then you flip it over and the bearing just falls out. The new one will just drop right in, then as the wheel cools the press fit will come back.
Click to expand...

Back in the day with Ducati cases/roller bearings, we used to stick them in the oven with a cookie sheet underneath to catch the old bearing. The new one was in the freezer getting cold. Sit in kitchen, drink coffee, wait for clank, clank, clank. Open oven, pull case out and flip over, grab new bearing, and drop in.
 
And if the force of your pounding/tapping has been transmitted through the balls or rollers, throw that bearing away.
 
afm199 said:
Go through the far side with a long punch and tap it out.
Click to expand...

Well, yes. MOF I have a specialized punch that I ground down so it still gets good purchase when put in at an angle. I was just looking for something a little more suave. So I started it with the punch, then I had enough room to get the puller to bite, but the crossbar started to bend some. It will have to wait until I get a welder to reinforce it. So I finished with the traditional method.
 
The punch from the other side method works. You can also buy a blind bearing puller, or use Autozone's loan a tool service. Its a great service IMO. You will have to leave a deposit for the full cost of the tool, but it will be refunded in full upon return of the tool. Used their service for this very tool this past year. :thumbup

You may still need to use heat with a blind bearing puller, but its not as caveman as the punch from the other side methodl
 
+1 on blind bearing puller, basically a collet attached to a a slide hammer. Bearing removal is a destructive process, loading the inner race laterally basically junks the bearing. If the bearing is drifted out with a punch you have a chance of it skewing in the cup and damaging the soft aluminum of the wheel.
 
why not just get the correct tool needed?
 
elskipador said:
why not just get the correct tool needed?
Click to expand...

wheres the fun in that? just kidding.

how about a deep socket with the flats end sidewalls ground down to mate with the inboard race face. insert a junk extension, and one good whack with a baby sledge will do it.
Use the same socket, and the old race, skimed a little on the OD, for the re-install. you probably already got this one.
 
Last edited:
Another little assist I've used (at the suggestion of a BMW manual of all things) is to pour boiling water around the wheel hub after the bearing has spent a couple hours in the freezer. This has worked remarkably well for me.
 
afm199 said:
Back in the day with Ducati cases/roller bearings, we used to stick them in the oven with a cookie sheet underneath to catch the old bearing. The new one was in the freezer getting cold. Sit in kitchen, drink coffee, wait for clank, clank, clank. Open oven, pull case out and flip over, grab new bearing, and drop in.
Click to expand...


yes, been there - it's fun to remember

hey - between bearings, paint curing & powder coating,
why don't all our garages include a discarded kitchen oven?
 
dude there is nothing on this planet someone hasn't tried to JB weld..
 
JimE said:
Another little assist I've used (at the suggestion of a BMW manual of all things) is to pour boiling water around the wheel hub after the bearing has spent a couple hours in the freezer. This has worked remarkably well for me.
Click to expand...
or get a can of duster, turn it upside down, and spray the race. the shit gets shit cold real quick. same concept..
 
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