Rear hub oil seals and bearings

[TulsaFred]

I have my rear hubs off the bugeye and plan to renew the o-ring, paper gasket, and oil seal if possible. However, I dont want to replace the bearing which is good and tight and either original or a long ago replacement which Inanticipate is better quality than the bearings currently available at the parts houses.
1. Does the bearing have to come out of the hub to replace the oil seal?
2. Can the bearing be removed and replaced without "popping" it or otherwise damaging it?
3. Tips on the process and tools needed?

I have read many previous threads and Gerards write up, but remain unclear on these points.
Thanks for any help.

Fred

 

[David_Doan]

I'm currently doing the same thing.

1. Yes, the seal is behind the bearing
2. Yes, knock it out with a bearing driver or a deep socket that fits on the inner race. If it comes out easy, you can likely re-use the old bearing. If it comes apart or takes a lot of force to get it out, it will have to be replaced.
3. The bearing pops out by driving the inner race, the seal is a PITA.

If anyone has tips on getting the seal out, i'm all ears...

 

[markberry]

Use a Common screwdriver wedged between the hub and the seal then beat it like it owes you money. the outside of the seal is essentially a metal cup filled with the rubber lip seal. You need to get something between that cup and the hub. i took a torch to one once and just burned out the rubber and over heated the thin cup until it warped and let go

 

[TulsaFred]

Ok thanks for all the input.

Are the bearings lubricated solely by the diff oil or are you supposed to pack them with grease?

Seems like the grease would just be washed out by the oil.

Fred

 

[David_Doan]

Ok thanks for all the input.

Are the bearings lubricated solely by the diff oil or are you supposed to pack them with grease?

Seems like the grease would just be washed out by the oil.

Fred

Yes, pack them with grease before install. They are not submerged in oil like the diff bearings.

 

[David_Doan]

Use a Common screwdriver wedged between the hub and the seal then beat it like it owes you money. the outside of the seal is essentially a metal cup filled with the rubber lip seal. You need to get something between that cup and the hub. i took a torch to one once and just burned out the rubber and over heated the thin cup until it warped and let go

Thanks for the tip, it was actually a lot easier than it looked. I did not realize that the seal had rubber on both sides.

 

[tomshobby]

This worked great for me. The tool can be found at many home improvement stores and is inexpensive.

 

[Trevor Jessie]

I believe that is often called a miniature "wonderbar".