66 front wheel bearings

[John F.]

I'm installing new bearings and races on my 66. What's the best way to install the races without damaging them or the wheel hub?

John Farren

[Joe L.]

Re: 66 front wheel bearings

John------

Remove the old bearing races by driving them out from the rear with a long drift and using the reliefs provided in the hub casting. Install the new ones using a quality bearing race driver tool (such as those manufactured by Lisle and widely available). Take care to make sure that the race is driven in STRAIGHT-AND-TRUE and make sure that it is driven in FULLY. Make sure that the rotor/hub is sitting on a hard surface when you drive the races in.

That's all there is to it. You should not cause any damage to the hubs if you do it this way.

[Stephen L.]

Re: 66 front wheel bearings

I typically use the old race as a "buffer" to hammer on the new race. That way you won't damage the new race edges. To et the old one out use a screwdriver from the back side of the race to drive it out. There typically is a lip you can strike against. The new race will seat against a shoulder in the hub.

[Joe L.]

Re: 66 front wheel bearings

Steve-----

The race drivers manufactured by Lisle and others use aluminum driver plates. These will not damage a race under just about any imaginable conditions. Using an old race, as you described, will work, but there is a greater risk of damaging the new race since the material is equally hard.

[John F.]

Re: 66 front wheel bearings

Thank you both - as usual the advice is very much appreciated.

John