Stuck wheel bearing race
- Thread starter 303hunter
- Start date
- Replies 22
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Or a hack saw and cut a slice more than 2/3 way thru in the race and use a chisel to bust it open
N
ncengravers
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Use your teeth.
Sorry, all the good options were taken.
Sorry, all the good options were taken.
OP
I need my teeth to open beer bottles....
If you have a welder available, lay two opposing beads from edge to edge on the race, with like a 6018 rod. The beads will draw the carbon up out of the steel in the race, causing it to weaken. A slight pop with a hammer and hopefully it will pop off.
Burt Gummer
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Gear puller?
Forgive my ignorance, as i've never done wheel bearings on a dodge (done plenty of ford and chevy) but what race exactly are you referring to? The collar on the threaded end?
What are you using to heat it?
What are you using to heat it?
OP
Bearing disintegrated on the road just a few miles from home. Drove home very slowly. When I took off the retainer nut, everything pretty much fell apart. Spindle looks good though.
OP
This is my first Dodge too, always owned Chevrolet. Used a propane torch.
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OP
I’ve got a Lincoln 120 amp wire welder. Would it work?
I fully understand whats going on now and what that is.
Heres what I would do if it were mine and I didn't want to cut it.
Do you have a three jaw puller? If so, put the puller on it and give it some tension, then heat it up. Get that joker hot, not glowing red, but just to where it starts to get a color to it, throw a bit more tension on the puller and it aught to come off.
Dropped you a pm.
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I've never used a wire welder for this, and only did it twice with a stick, but it did work. If you try it with the wire, turn the heat up pretty high, that's what weakens the race, causing it to break at the beads.
Been there - done that. My first choice would be a cutting torch; second would be a cutoff wheel in a grinder or air die grinder.
No way that I’d use a puller on it, as that would most likely damage the spindle threads and you’d have a hard time gripping the race.
As Buttonpusher advised, it may have spun and friction welded to the spindle.
No way that I’d use a puller on it, as that would most likely damage the spindle threads and you’d have a hard time gripping the race.
As Buttonpusher advised, it may have spun and friction welded to the spindle.
OP
Went to Harbor Freight today, and found some cut off wheels for my 4 1/2” grinder. Made 2 through cuts on the race and it still wouldn’t move. Finally took a cold chisel and peeled them off with a hammer. I’ve got it assembled except for the caliper. I’ll have it finished this evening. Thanks everyone for the suggestions. Even had a couple guys offer to come by and help. We’ve got a great forum here!
Ikarus1
Avtomat Krishna-kov
a 97 Ram front spindle probably cost less than your labor does, esp on Ebay or a U-Pull-It. The older I get the easier I try to make things when I managed to find something to fix. I try to avoid having anything to fix.
OP
The last time I changed wheel bearings was in 1980 on my 1969 Z28 Camaro. I was 16 years old, and had to know how to work on things if I wanted to drive. I still work on vehicles when I can to save money, but am often sore the next day. My back hurts like hell today, but I’ve only got $30 in repairs.
Ikarus1
Avtomat Krishna-kov
yeah just about everything now has sealed bearings in the front unless it's 4WD