How to remove the wheel bearings?

[Rianna]

Don't break all your new tools in one day!

Nah, I didn't buy a screwdriver...maybe I should have, though!

[Rianna]

Look at the part # from harbor freight . You need a small inside diameter puller like the one I referenced .

Thanks, juice. Checking it out now. 

[Rianna]

Huh, well it says it works on cars, trucks, motorcycles, bicycles, tractors. Seems like Autozone would carry the same thing.

Well, I guess they probably do, but maybe they'd rather sell it than loan it.

[oswaldters]

...i reckon imma try to google a 1/2"  I.D. inside bearing puller...

So do you know if the I.D. 1/2" or less?

That one 3-jaw puller at Harbor Freight says that it "Removes all sleeve-type bearings between 3/4" and 1-1/2" (19mm - 38mm) inside diameter quickly and easily."

So it wouldn't work if the I.D. is smaller than 3/4".

[Rianna]

Well, my eyes are gettin' tired and I already turned the overhead lights off, but in the dim light it looks like 1/2" or around 10mm or so. Might work. I'll have to get an accurate measurement tomorrow to be sure.

[wordslinger]

..that'd probly work...not sure of the diameter...

[Rianna]

Yeah, it might, can't afford it either, lol.

I'll get a more accurate measurement tomorrow, though.

Thanks All!!!

[Hoolander2]

My local Advance Auto Parts store rented me a puller.  Their policy is they refund all the money when you bring the tool back.  Put it on credit card and they re-credit the card when tool is brought back. 

[Rianna]

Thanks, Hoolander! My son said he is going to take me to Autozone when he goes out today. Advance is a little farther, but if he has to go near there, may check it out too and compare policies.

[Rianna]

I got nowhere with either place today.

The man at Advance Auto said, "No, there's no special tool to get these things out." I mentioned seeing many different many pullers online but not knowing what size or kind would be needed and he said, "Well, if there is a tool for it, I don't have any. You should take these to the Honda place or the place beside it - the local Kymco dealer - because I'm sure they won't charge much to take out the old ones and put new ones in for you." Ha

The man at Autozone said, "No there's no special tool to take these things out of here, only for putting them in. You just punch it out, but I don't know about this spacer here or how to do it without damaging it." I tried to be patient and I flipped the tire over and said, "Oh, okay, so what do you think about this side here?" And he looked and said, "Oh this is the same thing, you just push it out from the other end." So...I asked him, "Well, how should I get the first side out so I can get to the second side?"

Anyway, they both seemed perplexed about how to take the spacer out and they didn't think they had any appropriate tools to loan or sell. They both also said that the dust seal on one side looks messed up a bit, but then they said it should be "fine". Who knows. I tried to get a pic of it, but my camera batteries died. So...I suppose that Sunday evening might not be the best time to go into the auto parts store here or something. There's only 2 people in each store and they didn't seem to know much that would help me out. I got a headache and gave up...lol.

[oswaldters]

That's not encouraging at all...

There clearly are special tools for pulling them out so makes you wonder what kind of people they are hiring.

Then again, I ask the same question every time I ask a question at Home Depot.

[Rianna]

Oh, so it's not just where I live, oswaldters? I wanna move to a place where folks are more customer-service oriented! Seems like everywhere you go here folks want to make you come back 2 or 3 times to get things done...like gas is free and folks got all the time in the world or something...

[oswaldters]

It's very hard to find good customer service these days - especially at the chain stores. 

I don't think these people actually know much about what they're selling. 

Generally I've had better luck at local businesses that have people who actually know something.

[Hoolander2]

Rianna, I missed the part where you determined your wheel bearings were at fault.  Do they have play?  Do they make grinding noises or hit "rough spots" or "bumps"? 

[Rianna]

No, Hoolander, you didn't miss it. I was just wanting to take a look and maybe add some grease while I have the wheel off.

My little finger fits in there and they both seem to turn without catching or anything. They do look a tiny bit off center to me. Maybe they are supposed to be this way? I dunno. I tried to take a couple of pics. Some of them didn't take because my camera batteries were low, but I could try to post a couple and see if it shows what I mean.