How to remove inner bearing from HF Hub

[Newman39Fan]

OK, I will admit I am not smarter then a 5th grader. I can not figure out how to remove the inner berring from the HF hub to repack this berring. Any tips on how to access this berring?

[eatatjoz]

I don't know about HF stuff, but I can't see why it would be any different than any other axle.

Pull your outer bearing, put the castle nut back on and jerk the hub off.
That should leave your inner bearing and seal behind the nut. It could cause you to replace the seal though.

[starleen2]

If you go from the front side with the hub removed, you can gently take a long socket extension with a large diameter socket attacked and gently tap the bearing against the seal and it should pop out with damaging either - just don't go wild with the pounding!

[Newman39Fan]

I have never done this before, so excuse the stupid question. I am following the instructions in the Sticky on this page. I assumed the grease seal behind the berring was just the rubber part. I am now thinking it includes the metal ring the rummber is seal to? I already have to order a new seal, I dove into this project with not knowing what I am doing and that rebber seal is now toast

[Arne]

The h/f bearings are the same size, or at least mine were on the 1,800# trailer. I removed the outer bearing, pulled the hub off, put some news paper on the floor and set the hub on it. I cut down a 2x3 to fit in from the outside and used that and a rubber mallet to push the inner bearing and seal out... the seal did not get mangled and was reusable.

I carry this stuff with me when I travel, just in case, with a spare bearing and seal.

Most of the time, I just remove the hub and put my finger inside the back and be sure to squeeze some grease into the inner bearing...

If the hub is not running hot on a trip, I assume the bearing ok, and pushing grease in is just an annual maintenance thing.. i would only remove the bearing if the hub was running hot, sign of a dry or bad bearing.

Given the light load, the bearings rarely go bad unless a seal leaks water into the bearing area, and then only if the bearing is not fully greased...

[eatatjoz]

I assumed the grease seal behind the berring was just the rubber part. I am now thinking it includes the metal ring the rummber is seal to?

Yup. The rubber is held in place by the steel ring that encapsulates it. It's press fitted into place in the recess of the hub. (or if you're a eatatjoz redneck you put a 2x4 block on it and smack it with a hammer a few times)

Don't worry about messing up. It happens and screwing up is a really good teacher.

[Newman39Fan]

I don't know about HF stuff, but I can't see why it would be any different than any other axle.

Pull your outer bearing, put the castle nut back on and jerk the hub off.
That should leave your inner bearing and seal behind the nut. It could cause you to replace the seal though.

This worked! Thanks for the tip.
Are these seal generic or do I need to order a new one from Harbor freight?

[eatatjoz]

I don't know. I'd assume that it's a generic seal, but I've learned not to assume. You know what they say... it makes an ass out of you and me.

[Arne]

any bearing place can sell you the seal... but you need to take the old one in or measure it in Millimeters...

little known fact that spark plugs and bearings/seals standards are pretty much the same world wide.

[Toytaco2]

Here's a link to the post I made a while back. Those HF bearing seals are not always that easy to find. Here's the story of my experience.

http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?t=30022&highlight=

Hopes it helps,

Mike

[volfanatic72]

It amazes me how timely some posts are! I was struggling with this just today.

[Newman39Fan]

It amazes me how timely some posts are! I was struggling with this just today.

I hope you had better luck then I did. I now have to wait for a new seal before I can continue my build!

[bobhenry]

Whether you drag the bearing and seal our by jerking it against the castle nut or tapping it out with a dowel there is one thing that has not been mentioned . To jerk or tap and turn the hub 180 degrees and jerk again or tap on the opposite side. The seal damage is usually caused by continuing to pound or jerk in 1 spot. That seal is 3/8 deep or more and it need to be remover and installed squarely. Most damage is caused by not rotating as you attempt to remove the seal and bearing.

[volfanatic72]

Actually, I cheated. I just packed the outer bearings and put it together. I figured I would hit up the Applied Industrial Technologies salesman that calls on me at work. We get all of our bearings, seals, etc. from them, so I figured he could probably help me out with this. I didn't want to risk messing up a bearing or seal while the trailer was still on jackstands in the middle of my driveway. The bearings had enough grease in them to safely roll the trailer into the back yard. I'll pull it back apart before I put it on the road.

[Newman39Fan]

Here's a link to the post I made a while back. Those HF bearing seals are not always that easy to find. Here's the story of my experience.

http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?t=30022&highlight=

Hopes it helps,

Mike

Thanks Mike, your post helped me with getting my replacements. I ordered extra seals and bearings. I will keep the extras incase of issues, or if needed next time I repack