How to remove broken bearing from knuckle?

[mud digger]

Changing out my front axle shafts in the wraith and noticed the large bearing in the knuckle was broken. The bearing all fell out but the outer ring of the bearing is somehow wedged inside. BTW its in a VP knuckle so I dont want to destroy it. Any advice is much appreciated.

[AX10wannabe]

plastic or aluminum knuckle?? you can use this suggestion for both


grab a small flathead screwdriver and a hammer and lightly tap on the edge of the bearing making sure to move around the bearing to so it comes out even.

if aluminum you can use a little heat to soften shit up and use the above method. someone else had this problem a while ago but cant remember who it was so do a search.

[SDS Customz]

you can heat the knuckle without applying heat to the bearing race and it will prob. fall out if you tap it on a counter. you need to apply the heat quickly though.

[frdtrkguy]

Originally Posted by SDS Customz

you can heat the knuckle without applying heat to the bearing race and it will prob. fall out if you tap it on a counter. you need to apply the heat quickly though.

Makes sense, I think the aluminum would expand faster than the aluminum.

[SMR 510RR]

Originally Posted by frdtrkguy

Makes sense, I think the aluminum would expand faster than the aluminum.

Damn your blowing my mind! Expand faster than itself?

I would use a small flat head and tap it form the outside assuming that you can get a good angle on it. You could use heat but it may screw up the color of the anodizing a bit.

[meatmonkey]

Pics would be helpful.

Heating the knuckle up in the oven should help release the firm grasp, since aluminum has almost twice the heat expansion rate of steel.

By any chance is this a stock Axial bearing? Only wondering cause both sides of my front wheelbearings on my Wraith were toast in less than six packs.

[punkfan]

the other trick to try is to heat, then rapidly cool (in the freezer). this seems to work the best. there was another thread on this about 6 months ago and the heat/cold work the best

[Charlie-III]

As mentioned (in a variety of posts), heat the aluminum knuckle quickly, then drive the outer bearing race from the backside using a punch, screwdriver, or whatever.
Using a wet paper towel on the bearing race after the knuckle is heated can help. This will cool the steel but leave the knuckle hotter.

Since I'm assuming this is new enough so it's not corroded together, heating is the best bet.

[Heating followed by rapid cooling is good for a steel/stainless steel fastener in an aluminum part. This can break the metal to metal bond....not your current issue.]

[prusik333]

Smack it on the flat counter top, it works every time

[chevellian]

I have found small hole gauges to be very useful in removing bearings. Not sure if they will work in your application, but they work great for getting bearings out of blind holes like the Berg housings.

You can pick china made ones up cheap, you want the half ball ones.

Small hole gage