How to replace 2wd front wheel bearing races

[jdmccright]

In my years, when reaplacing the brake rotor on a 2wd, the rotors included new pre-installed wheel bearing races. This ran contrary to the wish to use the matched replacement bearing and race...the repair manual even says to use a drift to remove the worn race from the rotor.

However, I went to replace the front bearings on my '95 C2500 but could not remove the old races. There was plenty of grease so there was no rust. But the questions are...what is the best way to remove/reinstall the bearing races? What special tools would be needed or desired? Or is it cheaper to just replace the rotor (presuming the race is included)? I've also considered taking the rotors to the local mech shop and have them pressed out/in? All help and advice is appreciated.

[wafrederick]

Use a Brass drift punch to put them in or use the old races as a tool to install them.Make the new races go in straight.

[hawku8]

saving old races is iffy at best. I have a press and still would use new races and bearings. then removing old is easy cuz u can pound without fear.

[jonnik]

Bearing races are machined to precise tolerances set by the vehicle manufacturer, including height, outside diameter, inside diameter at the top and bottom of the race, and the angle of the inside taper. The set you buy is not "matched" and the race in the box is the same as the race already installed in the new rotor. Having new races removed/installed by a machine shop is the way to go.

[jdmccright]

I certainly don't want to use new bearings on old races, but I always presumed that the bearing/race set I bought was a matched set thus I should install them together. If they are not matched per se, I guess now the question becomes whether it is cheaper to buy new rotors with new races or to have the races replaced by a shop. I'm gonna guess the former, but we'll see....

As for the using a brass drift, I don't know if they would be hard enough to dislodge the races. I was (sadly) trying a screwdriver and hammer combo to see if I could even budge them...no luck. Seems the brass edge would get chewed up with all the pounding but without progress. Sears sells a Mayhew drift set for bearing races but $60 is steep. Any advice on the size of the drift to use?

[2000CAYukon]

If you look at the first picture in this link http://www.popularmechanics.com/auto...o/4205243.html, you need to use the drift/punch where the indent is. There should be 2 indents, 180 degress apart.

You need to alternate between each indent to get the old race out. Don't be afraid to give it a good wack and keep alternating.

//2000CAYukon

[spyder2000]

You need a brass drift (set of three from Sears is $19.99) and a 3lb hammer. You wail away on the rim of the race to remove it. Once it moves, you'll know. Then alternate sides to remove it from the rotor.