healeys
[Top] [All Lists]

Re: Front Wheel Bearings

To: Ben Prince <blprince2@comcast.net>
Subject: Re: Front Wheel Bearings
From: Blue One Hundred <healey.nut@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 5 Dec 2005 15:35:48 +0800
Ben -

The inner race on the BN1 can be very difficult to get off.  The only way I
found to get it off will result in destroying the bearing race, so you need
to get some new bearings before getting started.

Get a pipe-clamp vice grip and set it in the round groove on the bearing
race on the axle spindle.  The vice grip I'm talking about looks like this
(get a small sized one, they're cheap and fit perfectly):

http://www.irwin.com/irwin/consumer/jhtml/detail.jhtml?prodId=IrwinProd430009
&search=false

Set the jaws in the race so it sits in there firmly.  Next, get a 5lb slide
hammer puller (or heavier, the heavier the better) from Harbor Frieght (or
someone else in your town) and then connect the slide hammer puller using
the puller's tripod (or bipod) clamp to the vice-grip's jaws (someone may
have to hold the tripod clamp on the vice-grips jaws using work gloves) and
use the slide hammer to pop it off.  This is a slide hammer from Harbor
frieght:

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=38878

Using the slide hammer, the bearing race will pop right off like butter!
It's one of the best tools you will ever have in your cabinet.

Next you will have to get the proper bearings for the BN1.  Be sure you get
the right bearings that have the lateral g-force reinforced bearing race, as
some vendors are selling standard bearings which are no good for the BN1.  I
know that Norman Nock has the right bearings:

www.britishcarspecialists.com

You might also try some of the UK suppliers for the bearings (like
www.cape-international.com), but make DOUBLE sure that their bearings have
the proper lateral-support on the bearing race, otherwise the standard
bearing will be very dangerous to put on your car.

Good Luck!

Alan

'53 BN1 '64 BJ8




On 12/4/05, Ben Prince <blprince2@comcast.net> wrote:
>
> I would like to remove the front wheel bearings on my BN1 and re-pack them
> with fresh grease.  I have the hubs off, but the inner bearings are stuck
> on
> the swivel axles.  How does one remove these inner bearings?
>
> To take our an inner bearing, the manual mentions inserting a thin rod
> into
> the back of the swivel axle and tapping the race.  I can't seem to find
> these
> holes.  Does the brake backplate need to be removed first?
>
> Getting the outer bearings out of the hubs is a problem also.  I have
> tapped
> repeatedly with a wood dowel, but can't break them free.  What do you
> experts
> suggest?
>
> Also, it would be appreciated if someone can provide a current
> manufacturer's
> name and part numbers for both the inner and outer bearings.
>
> Many thanks,
> Ben




<Prev in Thread] Current Thread [Next in Thread>