Rear Wheel Bearing Removal

[Phil TK]

I just did a search of the site for a method to replace wheel rear bearings but just unearthed a lot of posts describing them as a bitch/bastard/pain in ass etc.
Could anyone relate how best to do this? I have only a couple of hours at the weekend to get this done and don't want to get hung up on it and not have my bike ready for next week.
Ta

[Falcon 269]

Hi Phil

The roller bearing on the one side is simple to remove.  Insert a drift through the wheel hub, tap the bearing out.

The needle roller on the other side is the troublesome one.  Most folks end up cutting the bearing cage and prising it out.  Be careful not to damage the hub if you go that route.

Usually the sprocket carrier bearing is perfectly OK and doesn't need replacing. 

I presume you're doing this as preventative maintenance?  Maybe hold off doing it in that case until you have more time to spare, just in case.

[mcyoungy]

Think I said this before, but I always find it easier to pour a kettle of boiled water onto the wheel just around the bearing and often the bearing will pull out with your fingers.

[ghostbiker]

i normaly take it in to my local spanner and he cuts it out for me. as said above 2 are easy its just that one that can be an issue.
the boiling water may help but there is very little to get hold of unless it gets realy lose and finger lifts as said.
i have heard some actualy grove the wheel to aid removal next time but cutting it free seems to be what most do. as i am friendly with my local guy i just drop it in and he removes that 1 for me and i make sure he gets a pint next time i catch him down the pub. but if he didnt i would buy a dremal (or other brand etc)

[Phil TK]

I presume you're doing this as preventative maintenance?  Maybe hold off doing it in that case until you have more time to spare, just in case.

Yep Mike, that's correct, after all she nearly has 50,000 miles up.. The wheel bearing change is actually an additional job to the main (but very easy) one which is replacing the swing arm bearings (there is a very naughty side to side knock, which I noticed when the wheel came out for a tyre change) I had wondered if I could get the wheel bearings done too within the time. But no, I think I'll do the wheel when I have more time and get in some new cutter heads for my Dremmel. I'll try the hot water trick too.
Thanks for the advise guys.