I am going to have both wheels powder coated in the New Year (at tyre change). Questions 1) Is it possible to remove the bearings and replace them without damage to them? 2) How difficult a job is it? Thanks
For the small cost and peace of mind fit new, easy to fit just remember to press into the wheel hubs on the outer race of the bearing not the inner.
When I did mine I can't imagine how you'd get the bearings out without damage. Removing them is a piece of p*ss (assuming that you don't care about damage to the bearings). You use a long punch to hammer the bearing out from the other side of the wheel. If that makes sense. If you were trying to remove the bearing on the left hand side of the wheel you'd attack it from the right hand side of the wheel. Easiest way is to lay the wheel flat. Bearings are pretty cheap. I can't imagine wanting to reuse the ones I had. Putting the new bearings in is the more difficult part. I bought the bits and bobs to make a bearing puller (long threaded bar, large washers, nuts) but in the end the bike repair shop that was fitting my new tyres to my refurbed wheels offer to press the new bearings in for me for £40 or something like that so I just let them do it.
@HRCTrev09 put a link to something called an anchor bolt a few months ago i think? made removing look pretty simple might be worth a quick search?
Top tip: put the bearings in the freezer overnight before fitting and if possible heat the housing (wheel) before fitting.
i had my ducati wheels powder coated ,the rear one had a spoke that cracked right through and the front wheel lost all its strength and buckled. I sent the wheels back through ducati to the manufacturer and they said the heat from the powder coating process had caused it. i asked on the ducati forum if anyone has had problems with the wheels on their bikes and i am the only person that has had it happen ,so i think ducati are right in what they are saying. i have also read on a subaru forum that some people have had problems with their wheels cracking after powder coat too.
There you go! Easy peezy lemon squeezey but use a bit more finesse when installing the new ones than shown on this video! Use a socket that is only slightly smaller than the bearing and use the flat end or even better a correct size bearing drift, I hope all goes well