Front hub wheel bearing removal problem

Well I decided it was time to do bearings, bushings, brake pads and ball joints and while I was at it replace the front A Arms with arched forward from Backwoods Armor.

2011 XP
Nothing is easy for me.....

Driver side rear wheel bearing = piece of cake had it all done brakes included in about 1 hour

Passenger side rear wheel bearing - SOB hub is fubar ruined 2 new bearings and ordered new hub.

Driver side front= SOB X 1,000 - As I removed the hub from the axel the wheel all the rusted bearings fell out.
I am having a hell of time trying to get the outer race of the bearing removed from the hub. I tried heating with propane torch and a punch so far. The rear a 36MM socket works great to get bearing race out but the front hub is significantly larger.

I have read to freeze the wheel bearing carrier and then heat with torch and try to remove.

Any other tips?

Make sure you are heating the crap out of it, even turning it a little red. Then, take your punch and drive it out. If you can't get it to move, wait for it to cool down and spray it with penetrating oil and go back to beating on it. Sometimes after it expands and then contracts it will come out. I had a very hard time getting one of mine out.

Weld a bead around the inside of the race. By the time your complete the loop, your bearing will be almost ready to fall out. If that doesn't work, you'll have to cut each side and beat it with a punch.

welding the bead around it will definitely work.  I happen to know a city boy like you don't own a welder.

seweljj wrote:

welding the bead around it will definitely work.  I happen to know a city boy like you don't own a welder.

sad but true for now

How about duct taping a few propane torches together?  

Hmm I haven't done an XP yet but on my 800s it wasn't that bad. I did have two bearings fall apart and wasn't able to get the inner part off the hubs with out damaging the hubs. I'd soak them down with some PB blaster and let them sit for a long time then just beat the hell out of it. That almost always works lol

Just trade it in on a new machine..........

So far done the PB Blaster soaking Heat and can't really get a cutoff wheel in there (angle)

Trying the freezing method. Rear 2 bearings not too bad, this front is a SOB

grind your punch off a little on one side so it will catch the lip of the race.it worked great for me

Big-R wrote:

Just trade it in on a new machine..........  

Keep in mind this advice is coming from a guy who replaces machines when they run out of gas  

  

8ball_99 wrote:

Big-R wrote:

Just trade it in on a new machine..........  

Keep in mind this advice is coming from a guy who replaces machines when they run out of gas  

Now that's funny!!!!!!!

Resolved. Thanks for all the ideas.

Ended up using a 3 1/2" drop trailer hitch (square part) fits perfectly inside with 4 corners touching race. The drop part gave me a nice flat surface to beat with a hammer = 10 whacks race is out hub is fine.

Not bad for a city dweller huh?

There will be a new buggy in the future probably 2015 model. Who knows, I love my XP though.

so in short 36MM deep socket to remove rear bearings and trailer hitch for front.

A press is on my list of wants for my garage.. Along with a two post lift lol.

8ball_99 wrote:

A press is on my list of wants for my garage.. Along with a two post lift lol.

Best lift prices at gregsmithequipment.com he gave me a great deal on mine. Threw in a 30 gal oil drain pan for free. HF for the press.

MIKE_D wrote:

8ball_99 wrote:

A press is on my list of wants for my garage.. Along with a two post lift lol.

Best lift prices at gregsmithequipment.com he gave me a great deal on mine. Threw in a 30 gal oil drain pan for free. HF for the press.

Thanks, Yeah gregsmithequipment is where I plan on getting it. I want the extra wide HD one. Heck I even poured the concrete thicker in my shop where I plan on putting the posts. Just haven't been able to drop the cash on one yet! I could put it to some use, But at the same time both me and my wife drive trucks so for oil changes, ect I can easily just roll under both of them with a creeper with out having to jack them up. So the lift isn't really a need its more of a want lol.

Shop press makes this a easy job!

I went to Harbor Freight and bought a 20 ton press, should have done that years ago. Its like cheating

I put mine in, AGAIN, with the help of the freezer and oven. No problems, Just saying//////////