The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline Rear Axle Bearings (Removal)

I have a 1/2 ton 46 chevrolet p/u and would like to remove the rear axle bearings without damaging them. The shop manual speaks of a rear axle bearing puller but I cannot find one that looks like or works like the one pictured. Does anyone have a simple means of removing these pressed in bearings.

dean

If you can remove them and put them back in place without putting pressure on the bearings (or cages) themselves, you can reuse them. If you cannot remove them without the pressure on the bearings/cages, you must replace. The safe bet is to get them off and not worry about damaging them, and replace them.

I pulled mine without too much issue, made an adapter for a slide hammer that was basically a peice of 1/4" plate about an inch wide and the same length as the diameter of the bearing race (I forget the exact measurement). We slotted it through the middle so it couls slip inside the bearing. It worked very similar to what the manual shows. Another option is to use a length of 3/4" EMT, about 6' will do, insert it from the opposite side of the bearing you want to remove, and use it like a really long punch to drive it out. For istallation, a bearing/seal driver kit can be found pretty cheap at the flaps, or you could use a socket the same diameter as the od of the bearing.
I do agree with Builder, if you're going to remove them, best would be to replace them.

I was able to remove the ones on my 58' by taking a long peice of rebar and hitting them out form the opposite side. YOu must be careful not to drag the rebar in places to score the tubing and messup any sealing surface. Other than that concern it worked very well.