Removing wheel shaft from bearing housing

[Jonnyb416]

Hi all, I'm in the process of replacing the bearings on the rear of my van and not exactly sure how to remove the wheel shaft from the bearing housing. Haynes says to use a press and special tool but also says you can use a soft metal drift. Looking at my picture do I support 'A' in a vice and whack 'B' with a hammer? Maybe protect the end of the shaft with wood?


I could take it to my welder and ask him to use his press but I would like to do it all myself. Any help appreciated.
Cheers, Jon.

[Ian Hulley]

Yes.

Ian

PS I seem to remember I took mine off with the CV drive end still on the van

[Jonnyb416]

Thanks Ian. I gave it a whack but it didn't seem to move so didn't want to try again incase I damaged something. Jon.

[Ian Hulley]

Obviously it's got to come off mate

[Jonnyb416]

PS I seem to remember I took mine off with the CV drive end still on the van

I know what you mean. I started by removing the CV joint from the diff then the trailing arm/backing plate/CV joints etc all came off in one (probably all the wrong way round) but I will get there in the end. I'm doing a complete overhaul of brakes/suspension etc, albeit very slowly and one wheel at a time. Thanks again, Jon.

[Ian Hulley]

I vaguely remember using a 3 leg puller but it's a very long time ago ....

[California Dreamin]

Flange with the 4 holes supported with two blocks of wood but allowing the flange underneath to hang free.
Put the castellated nut fully on the threads, use a piece of hard wood to protect the threads, hit with a VERY large hammer..at least a lump hammer.
Pressing out would be both safer and easier IF you have access.

Martin

[Jonnyb416]

Thanks Martin. I'm not too worried about how easy it will be, would rather do it myself really. I will take care when doing it to rule the danger out (famous last words) Jon.

[waltraud]

Its probably a bit late for this suggestion but Jed (the Spread) did a very good video of taking off and replacing rear bearings, I used his method and can vouch for it working well and with less work that taking it all apart, the video also obviously makes it easy to see how to do it in practice which is not always so easy when reading a dense paragraph in the Haynes manual! Good luck. When I did mine just to tell you this trick that works well as per Jed's vid you undo brake pipes, remove back plate and all brake gubbins in one go. After undoing/ cutting off the 46mm nut I out on a new good nut just till its flush with end of the axle then use wood and a large hammer to knock it backwards, away from the bearing housing effectively......watch the video

[Jonnyb416]

I have seen that video. This is the current state of the rear wheel area. I will use that method the next time I need to change the bearings. Cheers, Jon.

[waltraud]

That's kind-of bare bones, good luck!