Rear axle bearing removal

[Jon]

I had my axles out on the weekend and looking at the bearings, I couldn't figure out what was an easy way to get them off. (Considering the axle was hard enough to get out!)

I need to change the backing plates from drum to disc items (and put new bearings on at the same time.)

Any suggestions?

J~

[toy_R32]

Everytime I've changed a rear wheel bearing, I have taken it to a shop and had it pressed off. They are pressed on again afterwards... not much chance of getting them off without damaging the axle (unless you have a press?? ;) )

Have fun,

Steve

[smeck]

What's holding the bearing on? If there's a metal collar about 5 mm wide hard up against the bearing then it's called a shrink ring and you break it off with a cold chisel. Put the axle on an anvil or something and cut into the ring with the chisel in two or three places. When you cut deep enough the ring will simply fall off and the bearing will slide off under it.

You still need a press to get the new bearing and shrink ring back on.

[Jon]

I'd be cheering if it did have a shrink ring, but nope sorry, it's just pressed on.

It's actualy a roller bearing pressed onto a 'hump' on the axle. I did have some axles that a race guy was using (out of an rx7 I think) and because he was changing his bearings a lot he welded it to the axle!(to stop them falling out round corners I guess) I don't think the bearings will be too hard to get off (once the weld is angle grinded off). I'll buy a set of spare one's and get them pressed off at the local shop.
Thanks for the help.

J~