removal of rear hub wheel bearings

[Mike Anderson]

Hi Everybody,
Looked about removing the rear wheel bearings today from a GTO that I am working on. It is not obvious how to remove them as there are no shoulders to push against. Does anybody have any advice for me before I start heating? Steve did you have any problem removing them from Richard's bike? Please someone reply to this, I am ready to have the parts tumbled.
Thanks in advance. Mike Anderson

[BS Mechanic]

I can tell you how I remove mine: 
If you push a bit to the side with a square ended drift (I used a squared off 1 Ft. length of 1/2 inch steel rod), you can get just a bit of a catch on the inside of the opposite bearing.  Push the rod to the side as you give it a whack with a hammer, then go to the opposite side of the same bearing and do it again.  You should slowly gain enough space as the bearing is driven out to get a better purchase on the bearing, as the space allows the center spacer to move a bit.  With persistence, the bearing will eventually come out.  Doing the opposite side is easier. 

I'd recommend doing the side opposite the chain first, as this is a smaller bearing.  I consider this a destructive process, since you are putting lots of stress on the balls in the bearing by striking the center race. 

Perhaps someone has a more elegant way of doing this? 

[Toystoretom]

This link shows an expandable pilot bearing puller. You would insert it into your hub bearing, screw it down to expand the arms to catch the inner race, and then use the slide hammer to tap it out. This is a little expensive, but if you already own a slide hammer you can buy just the puller. This also is destructive for the bearing and I would not reuse it as it puts a side load on the inner bearing race and will probably ruin the ball bearings. This is just another way to pull them.

http://www.amazon.com/Tools-2-1171-Pilot-Bearing-Puller/dp/B00427KS7W/ref=sr_1_15?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1290384078&sr=1-15

[OldSwartout]

I can tell you how I remove mine: 
If you push a bit to the side with a square ended drift (I used a squared off 1 Ft. length of 1/2 inch steel rod), you can get just a bit of a catch on the inside of the opposite bearing.  Push the rod to the side as you give it a whack with a hammer, then go to the opposite side of the same bearing and do it again. 

Perhaps someone has a more elegant way of doing this? 

The only thing to add is that if you drive a tapered punch in beside the drift from the opposite side, it will hold the drift against the bearing and the drift won't keep slipping off and through.