Front Wheel Bearing Replacement

[stockblue95mtx]

I'm been reading posts on front wheel bearing replacement but haven't found one that tells how to do the job on a shop press. Looks like the center hub (with studs) needs to come out of the center (cones) first and then the bearing removed from the knuckle after the snap ring has been removed. Is this correct & if so how does one support the knuckle?
Thanks for your help in advance,
stockblue95mtx

 

[Eric VerValin]

Depends on your press. I have some "2x4" chunks of C channel I set one flat, and the other up on end and support that side with the brake caliper mounting "tabs" I really shoulda taken pictures this weekend.. lol

If you have some kind of shims or something, that would even help a little more as the 3 3/4" side of the "chunk" I use is just a hair short, so I added a washer to hold it up a little. You just gotta get a little creative. Set the bearing in the freezer, and clean out the old bore, add a little bit of grease around the edges inside there, and she'll pop in easy.

 

[stockblue95mtx]

Thanks, found I had a couple bars which bridge between the knuckle and the hub just right, but I am I right on needing to remove the center first or does the bearing push out with the studs and ****** after the snap ring is removed? In addition, should the center be difficult to remove? I can't get mine to budge although one of the cones spins on the shaft. Really concerned about damaging things with a 20 ton jack so I would appreciate knowing the correct disassembly/reassembly procedure.
stockblue95mtx

 

[Eric VerValin]

lol, yea you have to push the center out from the back side. Then take the ring off, and press the bearing out from the front. (front = wheel side/hub)

And everytime I've taken one off.. The press gets loaded pretty tight before it snaps.. after the intial crack, it's not bad going after that. Just make sure she's all straight.