front wheel bearings

[bluemoose]

Hey guys,

Got a 69 and am replacing the wheel bearings. How bad would it be to leave the outer sleeves in there and just replace the bearings. I haven't any idea how to get the outer sleeves out, and they appear to be in good shape. If anyone has suggestions on how to either, get them out without too much hassle, or has ideas about whether or not to leave them in, I would appreciate it.

Thanks

Moose

[BobbyFord]

You should be able to drive them out with a large drift punch from the inside. The races need to be replaced with the bearing.

[Hawkrod]

In theory you can mix and match bearings but if one companies machine if off by a gnats hair then their parts will match their parts but not somebody else's parts so it just does not pay to risk it especially with a worn bearing. They come out easily by driving them from the other side as noted. Hawkrod

[bluemoose]

I guess I will try to punch them out. Isn't a drift punch used for lining up holes? Could I just us a small cold chisel?

Thanks

[Hawkrod]

I guess I will try to punch them out. Isn't a drift punch used for lining up holes? Could I just us a small cold chisel?

Thanks

You are correct, you should not use a drift punch, you normally would use a pin punch. Most people don't actually have drift punches which are tapered, they have pin punches which have straight sides. I think it is just a common mistake to call a pin punch a drift punch. Kind of like calling a flywheel on a Ford car with an automatic transmission a flexplate. Ford did not call them flexplates but other companies did and so it became common to call them flexplates on Fords as well. Same with Posi, no Fords were ever built with a "Posi" but a heck of a lot of people will tell you that they have them! I would not use a chisel as my first choice as it can cause stress risers if it nicks anything (probably not an issue but why invite trouble?). Hawkrod

[bluemoose]

Very good. I will try a pin punch, and BFH.

Moose

[bluemoose]

got em out. Thanks guys.

Moose

[Alvin in AZ]

Isn't a drift punch used for lining up holes?

On the railroad we called the tool to line up holes a bullprick. ;)

Never heard a tool called just a "drift punch" tho.
It was always a "drift pin punch".

Alvin in AZ