Front Wheel bearing Replacement

I'm planning on replacing my front wheel brgs. I've been looking thru the fact. serv. man. and the haynes. They both show a slide hammer tool to remove the hub.
I'm wondering if this tool is necessary? Shouldn't the hub just slide out of the brgs? Reassembly shows the brgs pressed into the knuckle then you just put the hub thru and bolt everything back up.
I've already replaced the rear brgs and they just slide right on the spindle.
Any tips or info is greatly appreicated.

This link will help you:
http://www.teamswift.net/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=29003

The hubs don't just pull off, you will need a slide hammer of simular type of tool. Firt time I replaced my rotors I made slide hammer type tool.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v489/RossT/Image100.jpg

It worked, but I finally broke down and bought a nice one for $80.

If you own a geo metro, sooner or later you will need one.

Yes, you WILL Need a Slide hammer Etc.. to get the hubs off, they dont just slide out. You could make the tool that Ross posted, Or you can go to your local Autozone or Advanced Auto parts and Rent the Slide Hammer for a day, when you take it back, they give you a FULL REFUND (Free). Unless you doing alot of FWD Hubs/Bearing replacements or other jobs requireing the use of a slide hammer, My :2cents: says that renting the slide hammer for a day or 2 is the easiest route to go.

Like the last two said, you will need a slide hammer type tool. The hubs are a real pain in butt to get off without it. I've done it without it,but I was replacing the rotors so I just beat the back of them until the hub slid off. But like I said it was a real pain in the butt. Next time I was doing wheel studs and rented the slide hammer and with 3 whacks it slid off. It is totally worth it to rent it for FREE. Just make sure to get the adapter to bolt up to the studs and thread the slide hammer into. It was a seperate rental tool at autozone, but still free. Also remember when you are putting it back together to line up the flaoting spacer in between the innner and outer bearings. I did not and it pushed the inner bearings out when I was beating the hub back on, and ruined the spacer. Hope this helps. Good luck.

Yeah the guys are right, you'll need a slide hammer.

I bought a press for myself, independently of the shop from harbor freight for under 200. It's a 20 ton press and works great. I would not suggest beating the new bearings in, these really should be pressed. I suggest getting one because they're really nice to have.

:2cents:
-MechanicMatt