Scootin159

I'm sure it's been discussed here, but it'll be impossible to find without a useful search utility.

Anyways, how do you guys suggest removing the outer bearing races from the hub? I've tried everything I have at my disposal from a flat-head screwdriver & hammer to a gear puller. The hammer did effectivly nothing. The gear puller isn't working right without a center shaft to pry off of (note: a 3/4" wrench is NOT strong enough to 'span the gap' and give the puller something to pry from). I tried a pilot bearing puller from the local advanced auto, but it doesn't grab the bearing race strong enough.

I know I can use the hot/cold trick to install the new ones, but I imagine any heat won't help remove the old ones much due to the heat transfer.

JohnKoaWood

Try asking a man to hit a center punch with a hammer for you, I have done both my cars bearing races using this method substituting myself for the real man...... Try a bigger hammer...

Scootin159

I'll try the hammer a bit more, I just wanted to make sure I wasn't missing something obvious before I wasted a bunch of time on the hammer.

xsboost90

if you look the center of the hub-between the races- should have a groove on each side. If you use a nice round punch in these grooves- i used an old clutch fork pin- and work side to side w/ a big hammer on the ground you can walk it out- use the old race to help "press" the new ones in.

schwank

Funny to see this as my front hubs are on the bench right now. I seriously hammered on that frickin race for an hour side to side and I have moved the thing maybe 1mm. I still have a ways to go to get it off and I just don't seem to be making much progress. Then again, my monstrous biceps might just not be man enough to do it right

It's sad when you look at the Racer's Edge hubs and can actually beging to justify the expense as it would avoid me having to do this job.

heavy fuel

If you're talking about the rear wheel bearing with the aluminum hub, the heating method worked great for me. Since the aluminum expands due to heat more than the steel, the fit becomes looser when heated. i was able to heat with a propane torch and after some 10 min or so the outer races were much easier to remove. YMMV, but bets are off with steel hub.

FRporscheman

front or rear? I'll assume you mean front. Take it to a machine shop - $20 later, you're ready to resume and nothing is fugged up. 'least that's what I do - I tried many things and gave up. I'm big on diy and saving cash but I was happy to have that nightmare out of my face.

Luis de Prat

If you have the right tools (as in VW specific, detailed in the FSM), they pop right out with the "pusher" using a press. Otherwise, it's the neverending "rocking race" nightmare Arash is talking about. I ended up leaving mine in on the 83. They were smooth anyway, so I just replaced the bearings.

JohnKoaWood

I guess I just have a lot of frustration, or experience doing this, but the hammer meathod has always worked for me (that is also how to remove the bearing races from a CH-47 helicopter wheel halves)... usually takes me 10 minutes or so for all 4 races... OH and I use a 46 ounce hammer

PorscheDoc

Go get a long round punch with a flat end. A screwdriver isn't going to cut it. Couple HARD hits, and out they come. Just make sure not to dig into the walls of the hubs as you push it out.

DarylJ

I think your success at this is definitely due to experience

Scootin159

I'm going to try this tonight...

Smoker324

PorscheDoc, as usual, is correct.

I used a steel punch with a narrow round and flat tip and a regular ball peen hammer. Whacked it around the circumference of the bearing. They came out. Try to push it out straight -- I would think that pushing only 1 side out at a time would cause it to bind.

I replaced them with a similar brass punch.

-Dan C.

Funn944

+1 on Porsche Doc, flat tipped punch, BIG hammer = races out

FRporscheman

What happens if you ding the inside of the hub?