Front Wheel Bearings - Printable Version +- GL1200 GOLDWINGS (http://www.gl1200goldwings.com/gl1200) +-- Forum: TECH CENTER (http://www.gl1200goldwings.com/gl1200/forumdisplay.php?fid=39) +--- Forum: WHEELS, TIRES AND SPEEDOMETER (http://www.gl1200goldwings.com/gl1200/forumdisplay.php?fid=11) +--- Thread: Front Wheel Bearings (/showthread.php?tid=8568)

Front Wheel Bearings - garyft - 07-22-2011 So, prior to heading out on this 4500 mile trip I'm planning (described in another thread), I need to replace the front wheel bearings. Anybody have any good methods on doing this without the special Honda tool or a press? Re: Front Wheel Bearings - robdavspa - 07-22-2011 There are ways to get them out discussed in the forum, however all employ using a hammer to beat them out. Harbor Freight Tools has a tool to get them out without hitting them with a conventional hammer. This tool costs about $45 and is called a 'blind hole bearing puller'. Works very well on a slide hammer principle. Pulls the bearing out evenly instead of by hitting one side. Installing them is a piece of cake and all you need is a piece of threaded rod and some washers. Put nuts on the rod after sliding it into the bearings which you place into the holes in the wheel. Just tighten the nuts until the bearings seat. Make sure the washers are large enough to contact the outer race and no bigger. Installs the bearings evenly. I used a 5/8 rod. Go ahead and beat on the wheel if you want but I can't recommend it. Luck Bob Re: Front Wheel Bearings - garyft - 07-22-2011 Bob, Thanks for the advice. Sounds like a great plan. Re: Front Wheel Bearings - Lemen - 07-24-2011 Try one of these: Re: Front Wheel Bearings - bluewing - 07-24-2011 I use the same tool as Lemen, it works every time. Re: Front Wheel Bearings - robdavspa - 07-24-2011 If this works, it is a lot cheaper than buying a tool. I just wasn't able to get the wedge or expanding bolt to work. Bob Re: Front Wheel Bearings - bluewing - 07-24-2011 I got mine at Home Depot but most hardware stores that sell cement anchors should have them. Re: Front Wheel Bearings - garyft - 07-26-2011 So I had a friend over to help me. I went in the house to change clothes to go to Lowe's to get a concrete anchor. When I got back to the garage, he had the wheel bearings out. It was a little perturbing since I had been pounding on them to no avail for over an hour, but I had to appreciate the help. The trick with the threaded rod and washers to get the new bearings in worked great and I got it back together with new seals in no time. Thanks for the advice everybody. Seems an old dog CAN learn a new trick or two!