Improvised Bearing Race Tool?

[Fisherman Rob]

Anyone have any great ideas on how to replace trailer bearing races without a proper race tool? Can it be done?

 

[Fish Camp]

New bearing race tapped to seat in opening of hub,block of hardwood hammered at 90 and then old race ,1/2drive socket to set race after cleaning the seat in the hub. installed ,and old race removed with a brass drift longer than the lenght of hub with a edge of 90.

 

[scott craven]

A big socket that fits inside the hub , piece of 1-1/4 steel pipe and a hammer.

 

[gungadin]

Take the old race and grind off the outer cicumference a bit on Bench grinder untill it slides into the hub. Now use it as fishcamp suggested, but no need to drive it out, it will fall out.

 

[spring fever]

The above all works-but do yourself a favour-take your hubs down to the local spring and axle shop (Courtenay spring and welding-in comox area) ask them to take out the old races and put in the new-they do it hydraulically-cost 20 bucks for 4-takes 5-10min. Max

 

[walleyes]

I've done many of them over the years. Just use a good heavy ball peen hammer and a flat punch. Flip the hub over and you don't have to be gentle taking the old one out just switch sides often. Putting the new one in be more carefull and ensure you tap it in evenly. Small taps while rotating around the race is all thats needed. Its pretty straight foreward really. Just make sure the hub is sitting on something solid.

Piece of cake don't over think it..

 

[SeaWolf]

Every time I do bearings, I think about getting the proper tool. In fact not having the tool leads to procrastination. Found this price seems reasonable $35, free shipping in Canada. (If you order over $50)
Would seem very reasonable if I was at the side of the road broken down ;-)

http://www.tooltown.ca/Performance-Tool-W83020-7-Piece-Bearing-Race-and-Seal-Driver-Set.html

 

[Fisherman Rob]

Thanks for all the input. Still undecided between improvise, take hubs to shop to have them done, or buy proper tool. $35 does seem a pretty good price Seawolf (good tool website BTW!), but does the handle look like it's long enough to hammer the old race out?

 

[scott craven]

Hubs are only 4-5" deep, shouldn't be a problem

 

[SeaWolf]

The old race is not usually the problem, a big old flathead scredriver or chisel, it does not matter if you damage the old race. The new race needs a softer metal or you will scratch it.

 

[dwflyrod]

use a brass drift

 

[at'maakw]

Save your cash. Punch and hammer works the best. Tap the race 180 degrees apart. Use old seal for installer for new seal. Just set it on top of new seal and tap it in. Use just enough force to move parts you don't have to knock it in too hard.

 

[Califbill]

I use the old race. Make sure it is set so the edge is hanging out so you can use a punch to drive the race back out.