Need help replacing wheel bearings - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

daveboy · 06-29-2013, 10:47 AM

I broke down today and decided to replace the old ball-bearings on my '52 half-ton with the roller-bearing conversions. I ran into a problem immediately and need your help. The inner race will not come off the spindle. I guess that is what it is called. It is the race that fits over the spindle and rests against the brake backplate. Should it just slide off? I have tried tapping a chisel between it and the backplate...nothing. I have tried grabbing it with pliers and twisting...nothing.

I have it sitting right now with penetrating oil soaking into it. I supposed I could apply heat, but with that brake cylinder sitting right above it I'm not sure I want to do that unless it is a last resort.

Please help.

daveboy

**mr48chev** · 06-29-2013, 11:02 AM

I've fought that fight a time or two. You are doing exactly what I would do but you may have to heat the race to get it off. I don't think there is much worry about the wheel cylinder as you can get the race hot enough to expand it a bit pretty quick. just concentrate the heat from the torch on the race.

nvrdone · 06-29-2013, 02:05 PM

If you have a Dremmel tool, you might try cutting the race with a small cut off wheel. I had to do that once only because I didn't have a torch.
Posted via Mobile Device

_Ogre · 06-29-2013, 05:03 PM

i'd try heat first, even a propane torch might do it, a little heat does amazing things to tight races
if that fails use a grinder with a cut off wheel, cut diagonally across the race and split the race with a chisel
you might damage the spindle a little, no worries, polish the surface with some emery cloth and slide the new race on

daveboy · 06-29-2013, 06:39 PM

Well, I tried the heat from a propane torch and that did the trick...but just barely! I got it wedged out just enough so I could get the claw of a 4' crowbar in behind it. I kept prying on that while my son kept the torch on the race. I didn't think that sucker would ever come off, but I finally got it. I got the one hub all done today. Will start the other one in the morning and I hope it is a little easier.

Thanks for the help.

daveboy

06-29-2013, 10:47 AM	#1
daveboy Registered User Join Date: May 2013 Location: Sylacauga, Alabama Posts: 60	Need help replacing wheel bearings I broke down today and decided to replace the old ball-bearings on my '52 half-ton with the roller-bearing conversions. I ran into a problem immediately and need your help. The inner race will not come off the spindle. I guess that is what it is called. It is the race that fits over the spindle and rests against the brake backplate. Should it just slide off? I have tried tapping a chisel between it and the backplate...nothing. I have tried grabbing it with pliers and twisting...nothing. I have it sitting right now with penetrating oil soaking into it. I supposed I could apply heat, but with that brake cylinder sitting right above it I'm not sure I want to do that unless it is a last resort. Please help. daveboy

06-29-2013, 11:02 AM	#2
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,721	Re: Need help replacing wheel bearings I've fought that fight a time or two. You are doing exactly what I would do but you may have to heat the race to get it off. I don't think there is much worry about the wheel cylinder as you can get the race hot enough to expand it a bit pretty quick. just concentrate the heat from the torch on the race. __________________ Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club. My ongoing truck projects: 48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six. 71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant. 77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around.

06-29-2013, 02:05 PM	#3
nvrdone Registered User Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Moxee WA Posts: 1,483	Re: Need help replacing wheel bearings If you have a Dremmel tool, you might try cutting the race with a small cut off wheel. I had to do that once only because I didn't have a torch. Posted via Mobile Device

06-29-2013, 05:03 PM	#4
_Ogre Registered User Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Motown Posts: 7,680	Re: Need help replacing wheel bearings i'd try heat first, even a propane torch might do it, a little heat does amazing things to tight races if that fails use a grinder with a cut off wheel, cut diagonally across the race and split the race with a chisel you might damage the spindle a little, no worries, polish the surface with some emery cloth and slide the new race on __________________ cool, an ogre smiley Ogre's 58 Truk build how to put your truck year and build thread into your signature shop air compressor timer

06-29-2013, 06:39 PM	#5
daveboy Registered User Join Date: May 2013 Location: Sylacauga, Alabama Posts: 60	Re: Need help replacing wheel bearings Well, I tried the heat from a propane torch and that did the trick...but just barely! I got it wedged out just enough so I could get the claw of a 4' crowbar in behind it. I kept prying on that while my son kept the torch on the race. I didn't think that sucker would ever come off, but I finally got it. I got the one hub all done today. Will start the other one in the morning and I hope it is a little easier. Thanks for the help. daveboy

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