Sealed bearing replacement in my 20,000 mile front hub (alloy wheel)

[Slippy One]

Hi all, I need to replace my front alloy hub bearings and would like to know if I need specialist tools or techniques or if I need a professional to remove and install new ones.

Actually it’s mostly about the install, as I’m not reusing the old ones after 20k miles and countless rainy commutes so I’ll be tapping them out.

The bearings are 6200RS which are quite common and hopefully a diy job.

Cheers in advance for any advice

 

[PaPaSteve]

For motorcycle bearing replacement freezing the new bearing shrinks it enough they will drop in place with no trouble.
Place bearing in the freezer a day ahead to insure a proper low temp.
Also
Usually, I use a thrift store purchased hot plate turned to highest setting to warm the hub.
Place on the hot plate and cover the wheel with a shop blanket / leather welding jacket to make a makeshift oven.
By spacing the wheel up a bit from the plate surface the same hot plate concept can be used to remove the bearing.
Takes about 20 minutes to soak enough heat before you hear the bearing drop out with a plunk on the hot plate.

 

[Papa]

Bearing puller - This one is Harbor Freight

 

[A-DamW]

Hi all, I need to replace my front alloy hub bearings and would like to know if I need specialist tools or techniques or if I need a professional to remove and install new ones.

Actually it’s mostly about the install, as I’m not reusing the old ones after 20k miles and countless rainy commutes so I’ll be tapping them out.

The bearings are 6200RS which are quite common and hopefully a diy job.

Cheers in advance for any advice

Nice.
Shouldn't need any particularly specialized tools.

For removing the bearings, a long drift punch or a long steel rod that can go through the bearing center hole and tap on the opposite bearing should work.

Some things that will help remove the bearings, get a blowtorch, or a hot air gun, or a hair dryer, and heat The hub up around the bearing until it is just about too hot to touch.

Make sure you support the face of the hub with a block of wood or something, don't rely on the spokes for transferring the force out to the rim for driving the bearing out.

For installation, find a socket that matches the diameter of the outer race, and use that to tap the new bearings in.

You can get away without using a socket if you are careful, you got to make dang good and sure you don't tap the inner race while you're installing it, it can "fret"(dimple) the bearings and lead to premature bearing failure.

 

[A-DamW]

Hehe, we must have all been typing a response at the same time.

 

[Slippy One]

Excellent news, thanks flor all the information. I've got a range of sockets that'll catch the outer race and the freezer trick and hot hub sounds perfect in combo with a socket and rubber mallet. I'd love a socket puller, sadly they're expensive for removal and knocking them out sounds easier.