rear wheel bearings

[jcianci]

last night i was changing my rear wheel bearings, and we had them in a press with heat on the keeper, and the bearing outer race exploded hitting my grandad in the face. ouch. 5 stitches on the nose later is there any easier way of getting these little poofters off?

[christover1]

Most people I know grind them off, though you need to be careful not to damage the axle.
I personally let an expert press them on and off.
Though mostly I just swap whole axle for one that has a good bearing.

I am sorry to hear about grandad, hope he recovers quickly, very lucky it wasn't worse.

christover

[Jaffa]

Also try hitting them HARD with a cold chisel, just to lossen them a bit, dont try to knock them off with the chisel

[Eddy]

angle grinder's the best way imo
cut about halfway in on either side and belt'em with a medium Knockometer and they usually jump nicely off.............no stitches

[Krankieone]

I grind about 1/2 way through the retainer on opersite sides then 4 pound hammer & cold chisel to split it. then wrap the bearing in a cloth (very important as flying metal shards can cause pain, loss of blood etc dont ask how I found out ) smash the outer race and drift off the inner race if possible if it wont budge grind & split it off with the cold chisel.

Take care not to grind the axle !!!

[Krankieone]

I grind about 1/2 way through the retainer on opersite sides then 4 pound hammer & cold chisel to split it. then wrap the bearing in a cloth (very important as flying metal shards can cause pain, loss of blood etc dont ask how I found out ) smash the outer race and drift off the inner race if possible if it wont budge grind & split it off with the cold chisel.

Take care not to grind the axle !!!

[Mudzuki]

Had the rig in to get the rear brakes done, and they found the rear bearings to be stuffed. Never end does it . They couldn't figure out how to get them off either

[jcianci]

got it off just grinded them with an angle grinder either side on an angle and gave it a hit with a lump hammer and cold chisel. Grandad is fine and he can still drink beer and laugh about it so all is ok.

[Damo]

got it off just grinded them with an angle grinder either side on an angle and gave it a hit with a lump hammer and cold chisel. Grandad is fine and he can still drink beer and laugh about it so all is ok.

Grinding them, then split with a cold chisel is how it says to do it in the factory service manual.