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914World.com _ 914World Garage _ Is there a way to remove the rear hub without ruining the bearing

Posted by: shuie Jul 28 2013, 11:49 AM

My trailing arms have already been freshly rebuilt with the 4 lug hubs. I have brand new bearings and 0 miles on the current setup. Im really struggling to find the wheels I want for the car and have decided to switch over to 5 lug. If I build a puller is there any chance I can get the 4 lug hubs out without trashing the bearings? I've seen Eric's video on how to install the new hubs, but I cant find any info removing existing rear hubs that doesn't involve slide hammers and/or a lot of pounding.

TIA

Posted by: draganc Jul 28 2013, 11:58 AM

I think you will have to replace the bearings again.
To my knowledge, it's a one time install only.
But, I only have replaced a few and perhaps the expert found a better way.

Posted by: Eric_Shea Jul 28 2013, 12:11 PM

If you can find a way to press the hub slowly out or pull it slowly it "may" work.

Be prepared though. I'd hate to claim success only to have a bearing go bad in a couple thousand miles. When you go to replace it then, the $49.00 each seems very reasonable.

Split ring bearings by nature are a one use item.

It has been done though.

Posted by: okieflyr Jul 28 2013, 08:44 PM

I've removed and re-used new ones successfully and have put hard many hard miles on them with serious play time around the Tail of the Dragon without issue. But as previously stated, at $50.00 ea that is very cheap peace of mind since your taking things apart anyway.

Posted by: Krieger Jul 28 2013, 09:13 PM

Drill it out

Posted by: jcd914 Jul 28 2013, 09:30 PM

I did this when I switched to 5 lug in the rear with bearings that were only a few months old and using a large slide hammer attached to the hub.
The hub came out without splitting the bearings inner races and after installing the 5 lug hubs I drove the car hard several years.

When I set out to do this I was assuming I would have to replace the bearings, so I did not even try to be easy about it. I figured if the bearings failed after putting the 5 lug hubs in I was really only losing the labor, since I already saved the cost of bearings.

I will admit that at the time I worked for a Porsche shop and the bearings were always sitting of the shelf and I had access to a lift anytime I needed it.So I was not really risking a lot.

Jim

Posted by: McMark Jul 28 2013, 11:01 PM

I have a slide hammer setup that usually works pretty well. If they don't come apart they're probably going to be fine. If they do, time for new ones.

Don't try any of it on a cold day/morning. Or point a space heater at the hub for awhile. It can make a huge difference in success vs. failure.