Wheel Bearing Issues

[kinville]

Not certain if this is the right forum for this, if it is not, then I apologize. First off, my truck is a '91 2wd 4.0. I am currently in the process of trying to replace my wheel bearings. The outer bearings were gone completely, leaving only the run that is against the spindle. Well unfortunately it is stuck in place on the spindle and I have no clue how to get it off. I have been trying to hit it off with a hammer and punch/screwdriver, but have had no luck with that. If anyone here has some insight into this I would really appreciate it. Thanks

[bluovaldude]

Try giving it a little heat to soften it up. It might help a little.

[kinville]

Had a heater on it. Was too hot to touch, but still didn't give.

[krugford]

I don't suppose you have a puller handy? If all else fails, you might have to cut it off. I've had to do it a couple of times before. Take a dremel and slowly start cutting through the race, be careful not to cut into the spindle. When you get most of the way through, you should be able to put a chisel into the groove and smack it with a hammer. Don't aim the chisel straight at the spindle, aim it like you're trying to turn the race on the spindle (tangential).

[kinville]

I had thought of using a dremel, but I have misplaced mine. Is a puller something I could rent?

[krugford]

meh, probably. Got any parts stores around that let you rent or borrow tools? Of course, if it's something you might need again, you could buy one. I know I'm always looking for an excuse to buy new tools. :D

[kinville]

I bought a puller, but it won't pull it off. In fact it started chipping metal off of the puller. So I guess I'll have to buy another Dremel, unless anyone else has any ideas.

[bluovaldude]

I was going to say use a puller, but if you puller is not working... Are you sure what you are trying to pull out needs to be removed ? That might be why it is not moving very easily ???

But if the puller is not working you might need to try the dremel...

[kinville]

Looking at the pictures it sure doesn't seem like it should be there. I compared it to the inner run of the outer bearings, and it looks the same to me, and I definately can't get the new outer bearings on with it there. So the dremel it is it looks like.

[bluovaldude]

Good luck man.

[Booncha57]

I had this same thing happen to me. I thought I'd never get it off. I used a cut off wheel to get into it a little bit then an air hammer to blast it off. Not fun.

[susieranger]

Anyone know what kind of heat, and what kind of metal drill bit might be best for trying to get the thing off? If I still can't get it to budge, is spindle replacement a pretty big deal or something that most can do? I'm already looking around for a used spindle for my '92 2WD Ranger just in case. Not sure what other years might be compatible with my '92. Thanks for any help.

[Silverado]

If you don't have a dremel, is there any way you can get at it at an angle with a hacksaw?

I know cutting a bearing with a hacksaw would be a drag, and probably go through a few blades, but if that's an option...

[krugford]

A drill bit isn't going to do you any good. I assume you have the hub and rotor off? I've always found the best way is to cut most of the way through the bearing race with a die grinder, dremel, etc and then crack it with a hammer and chisel. A hacksaw would suck, but it's still doable.

I don't remember, are the spindles removable for the 2WDs, or do you have to get the whole knuckle?

[susieranger]

Mine is just the outer bearing and not the racer. I was hoping that I could pound away at it with a drill bit and maybe get it down enough to attack it with a hammer and chisel. I also thought about the hacksaw route but that does sound pretty rough. How about a small cutting bit on a drill instead of a dremel? Don't have a dremel but have a pretty good drill available. I think that the spindle on my 2wd is removable but haven't really gotten that far yet. Just sent out some feelers to local junk yards in case I have no luck.

[susieranger]

Do you guys know what kind of dremel bit would be good to try and cut off a frozen wheel bearing. I looked around Home Depot last night and didn't see anything but a cutter for soft metal. Thanks.

[bluovaldude]

Use the cut off wheel. I think it is about the size of a 50 cent peice, but you really only want to notch the bearing, and use a chisel not knock it out.

[ILLEGALCONCEPTS]

Make sure you get the reinforced cut off wheels. If you try and use just the regular ones, you'll spend more time changing wheels out then cutting.

James