sORRY REAR AXLE BEARING AGAIN!

D Wortho,

There is no need to shout, typing in capitals is shouting. The easiest way to remove the bearing is to hit the retaining ring with a hammer and cold chisel to split the retainer, then place a rag around the bearing, wrap it tightly with plenty of rag, sit the bearing over the jaws of a vise so that the bottom of the bearing is supported in the 4 O'Clock and the 8 O'Clock position, and then hit the bearing in the 12 O'Clock position. You may have to hit it several times, the bearing will shatter, this is why the rag is wrapped around the bearing to prevent metal pieces from flying everywhere. Make sure that you wear safety glasses while breaking the bearing. When the bearing is broken you will have the inner race left on the axle. Grind nearly all the way through the bearing with a grinder, ensuring that you dont go through the inner race and grind part of the axle. Do this on both sides 180 degrees apart. Hit each side of the inner race with a cold chisel until the inner race fractures and comes off the axle.

At this point give the axle a good clean, clean the backing plate etc and put it all back together before reinstalling the bearing. If you don't have press then use a long piece of pipe on the axle so that it contacts the inner race of the bearing only. DO NOT apply and force to the outer part of the bearing. Place the axle on a block of wood that have had the stud holes drilled so that the axle is sitting on the wood with no force that can be placed on the wheel studs. This prevents you from inadvertently dislodging the studs. Tap the pipe until the bearing seats home then install the retainer the same way.

Then it is simply a matter of bolting the axle back in, reinstalling the brakes, bleeding and adjusting and you are on your way.

Keith