Removing rear wheel bearings.....grrrrrrr.

[John Schmidt]

I pulled the entire driveline yesterday for normal maintenance, all is well except for the rear wheel bearings. Looks like perfect timing because the double one was on borrowed time. I have the handy dandy Honda bearing removal tool and figured 30 minutes or so and I'd be putting this baby back together. I've done it in the past with no real problems. Figured wrong.....using the tool on the rear wheel won't budge those bearings. Now what, any suggestions on using that fool thing? I just knew it was going to good to be true, Murphy's Law has again popped its ugly head up: "If things are going great, you obviously forgot something, or are doing something wrong." 

[John Schmidt]

Had to pop out the left side first even though the right side(large one) was the only one going bad. I wasn't planning on replacing both, but after popping out the left side first, I was able to get my home-made tool in there to knock out the right side. I guess starting out with two new bearings is probably a better deal anyway.

[X Ring]

When I removed mine the right bearing was a real bear to remove.  I ended up going to O'Reilly's and borrowing their Pilot Bearing Remover and 5 lb slide hammer.  Since then I 've discovered Autozone has a better remover but they don't have the 5lb slide hammer.  If you can, borrow the remover from Autozone and the slide hammer from O'Reillys.  

Even with the remover and slide hammer, I couldn't get the right bearing out as the remover broke; however, by using two 3/8ths drive extensions, a large socket and a 16 oz. ball peen hammer the bearing came out.  I placed the socket and extensions through the hub and against the outer race.  I moved the socket around the outer race while tapping and on the second time around the bearing fell out.  I ended up changing the left side to a double row bearing as well.  If you'd like the how to I wrote, send me an email.

Marty    

[John Schmidt]

I finally got them out and the new ones in plus the dust seal on the left side. If the left one goes bad in a short time, I'll most likely make the coversion to a larger bearing.

[Patrick]

John, you've been having a hell of a time lately.. Good to see the bearings finally came out.. When all else fails, grab a bigger hammer.. 

[Larry]

Did you put the spacer in?    Don't ask why I'm asking.

[John Schmidt]

Did you put the spacer in?    Don't ask why I'm asking.

Larry, I don't have to ask. I found out some time ago the spacers(Honda calls them collars) for the front and rear wheels are close in length.....but not the same. I had them out and laying on the bench when it came time to put the bearings in, grabbed a spacer, popped it in and slammed the bearings home. Then to the other wheel....suddenly things don't fit. I had swapped them thinking they are the same, but they have two different p/n's and are different lengths, just enough so the bearings won't seat if you switch them. So, I had to pop out one bearing on the front wheel and make the switch.

[OverdueBill]

I just went through this blankety-blank job.  Bought the pilot remover set from harbor freight.  $30 some dollars.  Ruined the pilot tool for this bearing size.  Just couldn't not get the critters to budge.  Tossed the wheel in the truck dropped it off at the MC repair shop with bearings.  I laughed all the way out of the lot.  They called an hour later said wheel was ready.  Real easy job they said.  $20 for removal and install.  So much for do it your self.

[John Schmidt]

John, you've been having a hell of a time lately.. Good to see the bearings finally came out.. When all else fails, grab a bigger hammer.. 

Even with my homemade special tool which is quite large, I had to use the skull splitter special on it. It's an extra large claw hammer left a few years ago by a company that installed some windows for me. Not sure why such a large one was necessary to install windows, but none were broken. They never came back for it and it has come in handy more than once. The picture here is a 3/4" cement anchor bolt, my friend TJ swears by it, and it's small enough to carry a couple with you on a trip. Many of you know TJ....that quiet, withdrawn, introverted little fella that lives down here in Lake Flacid, Florida. He used to own a blown Valk used mainly for hunting.....HD's. Since he's so shy around you folks I decided to post this picture for him. 

[Larry]

Even with my homemade special tool which is quite large, I had to use the skull splitter special on it. It's an extra large claw hammer left a few years ago by a company that installed some windows for me. Not sure why such a large one was necessary to install windows, but none were broken. They never came back for it and it has come in handy more than once. The picture here is a 3/4" cement anchor bolt, my friend TJ swears by it, and it's small enough to carry a couple with you on a trip. Many of you know TJ....that quiet, withdrawn, introverted little fella that lives down here in Lake Flacid, Florida. He used to own a blown Valk used mainly for hunting.....HD's. Since he's so shy around you folks I decided to post this picture for him. 

So, how does that work?  ???

[Misfit]

John, you've been having a hell of a time lately.. Good to see the bearings finally came out.. When all else fails, grab a bigger hammer.. 

Even with my homemade special tool which is quite large, I had to use the skull splitter special on it. It's an extra large claw hammer left a few years ago by a company that installed some windows for me. Not sure why such a large one was necessary to install windows, but none were broken. They never came back for it and it has come in handy more than once. The picture here is a 3/4" cement anchor bolt, my friend TJ swears by it, and it's small enough to carry a couple with you on a trip. Many of you know TJ....that quiet, withdrawn, introverted little fella that lives down here in Lake Flacid, Florida. He used to own a blown Valk used mainly for hunting.....HD's. Since he's so shy around you folks I decided to post this picture for him. 

John. I believe that is a 1/2 anchor that a 3/4 wrench fits.

[John Schmidt]

I've not used it, but it would have to approach 22mm which is about the size of the ID of the bearing. I don't think 1/2" would expand that much. A 3/4" anchor would only have to expand slightly under 3mm(a bit over 1/10") to contact the inside of the bearing. A 1/2" anchor would have to expand slightly under 10mm(over .39")....don't think it will do it. Crank it down real good with the nut, then turn the tire over and using a long drift pin of some sort you give it a good crack with a hammer.

Like I said....TJ swears by it, said that's all he's used for quite some time now, usually carries a couple with him on trips. Plus, if you bust one up all you have to do is go to a local hardware store and pick up another.

[OverdueBill]

I use those anchors all the time at work.  Never thought about using them this way.  Very excellent idea.  Three weeks late but one I will remember.  Thanks for the hint.