Changing rear (hub and holder) bearings without special tools

Before I dismantle the rear hub and bearing holder on my 5th gen, I would like to know if I anyone change the 3 bearings without the special tools.

I did change many "normal" wheel bearings with steel a bar for remover and the old bearings as the insertion tool (after a night in the freezer) and I wonder if I can do the same with this single side swing arm arrangement.

Sorry if this is a re-post. Could not find a thread on this.

 

Winter maintenance. I don't know the history of the bike. Did the front end last winter since the fork seal were leaking. I am changing chain and sprockets, brake pads, and inspect calipers this year. I have no chain breaker so I pulled the swing arm pivot 1/2 inch to remove the chain and to later re-install a chain riveted by the dealer.

I found that the swing arm bushing came out with the bolt. I told myself it may be time to disassemble, inspect, grease, and re-assemble, changing parts as needed. Got a 46 mm socket (and no chain breaker, don't ask).

 

i got a 46mm socket from when i worked on Triumphs, they had that big nut holding the wheel on. I have all the bearing for the VFR rear wheel sitting in my drawer. I decided to follow the axium, "if aint broke, dont fix it." there was someone here that used a press to re-insert the bearings in the rear hub assembly. Its not an easy thing and if the wheel dont have any side to side slop, why bother. I spoke to someone up in Canada that was a good source for these bikes and he said he never saw one that went bad. Dynamo-humm was the name of the outfit.

 

Here with our 6-8 months riding season, we don't want it to break in the summer
Bearings are all tight and smooth finally. Only need to get a strong snap ring pliers to pull out the bearing carrier.

 

To conclude the thread and answer my own question, after pulling the shaft out, it seems the bearings can be removed without the tools, using the same technique I use for wheels. The bearings are reachable from the opposite site and can be pushed with a rod. Note that they are larger than wheel bearings which may require a bit more force. And as for wheel bearings, they will be destroyed in the process. But I said earlier, I will not do it as they are smooth and tight.

 

just to re-quote myself, and I am not trying to break my arm patting myself on the back, ok!...:smile: Did the steering head bearings not too long ago and noticed an immediate change in the bike, it did have 75,000 miles on it though.

Always some little project to do it seems, my 91 is pretty much done though. Every part that could be re-furbished or replaced was done, short of pulling the engine :tongue: Rear brake caliper is still original along with the rubber line, thats the only thing I could see in the future that would need tending. Anywwoooo-Try not to freeze your nut sack off up there, while we ride year round in sunny FL. We do have a lot of your country men down here clogging up the roads with their trailored bikes. I can spot em a mile away...Cheers