I've replaced lugs before, so I've been through hub removal process, etc. Only thing I'm a little off on is getting the inner race pressed out. Looks like the book calls for a bearing separator. Anybody have any luck with these? Harbor Freight has them for < $20. Are there better tricks?

 

you talking about seperating the wheel bearing from the wheel hub? if so, you'll need a bearing press, not a bearing separator. HF has their 12 ton unit on sale for $109 right now.

 

Nah, I've got a press. In this step, the book says to use a bearing separator to get the inner race out:


Here are the HF bearing separators I was looking at. I figured I'd just take the new bearing into HF this afternoon to see which one would fit best.

http://da.harborfreight.com/cpisearch/web/...aring+separator

 

If you can't get something behind the race, you can cut the race off with a spinner wheel. I've done it both ways. I was also going to throw a bead of weld on either side of the race to give me something to grab onto.

I've seen hubs where you can easily get behind the race and others where it was flush and there was no getting behind it.

Honda says replace the bearings every time the hub comes apart.

 

Well the bearing separator sucked. It appeared to be the right size, but it wasn't getting a good bite. I also had trouble popping the bearing out of the knuckle. Does it seem odd to stress a 12-ton press trying to pop out the bearing? It worked fine to separate the hub/knuckle, but both sides of the bearing don't seem to want to budge.

Anyway, I'm going to just take the hub and knuckle, along with the new bearing, to a local Honda guy I like in the morning, and see if he can do anything with it.

 

When I did it, it took some serious push to get the bearing out.

 

Yeah, I took it to the shop and it definitely took the bigger press. What a mess. Anyway, it's all back together now, and I've learned that it takes one heck of a press to pop out the bearing and the bearing separator tool is worthless. Go with the dremel/cut-off wheel, all the way!

Fun times wrenching... I want to go back to the climate-controlled office. Actually, screw it, I'm going to the dragon!

Thanks for the input/feedback!

 

I popped into this thread to see if I could help out but I see you already took care of it Garrett. Word to the wise, if you are looking into getting a press, get at least a 20 ton unit, you would be shocked how many things there are on automobiles where a 12 ton press just won't cut it. My 20 ton has never let me down but tons of my friends with 12 tons have had to come over because their press couldn't get the job done.

 

I'm happy with my 20 ton too.

 

Well, I'm experiencing the same problem. I have a 20 ton press that is certainly big enough, but the bearing seperator has no edge to grab on to. The only way i see to do this is to grind a notch in the inner bearing race. Maybe Billman can chime in here.