Hello all--I wanted to see if anyone has a method for removing brake drum/hub bearing races from trailer brake drums using a simple shop press. I know there are kits that use machined alum discs of various sizes to install races and seals (either with a hammer, press, and air hammer) but have never seen how to remove them using a shop press. I know how to remove races using a brass drift and hammer. You must access race at an angle, as the race can not be hit vertically with the drift. This is what makes using a press a challenge.So.....how can races be removed from brake drums using a shop press?Maybe it's so simple, I can't see it or think of it!!!Thanks!

As an owner of a 30 ton press, I woudn't bother. I am sure I could rig something up, but it would be much easier and faster to just hammer them out with a drift

Huntindog wrote:As an owner of a 30 ton press, I woudn't bother. I am sure I could rig something up, but it would be much easier and faster to just hammer them out with a driftYep you're tossing them anyway beat them out

time2roll wrote:What did that bearing race removal bushing come from?Custom made or ???

time2roll wrote: The artist missed the fact the shape of hub will not let anything vertical reach the race. Driving them out, always working at angle. OP, you might cut a bar the right length to lay on the race, then push the center. Big races, with alloy hubs, where I fear the impact might distort the hub, I have just ran a bead in center of face. The weld will pull the race, let it just slide out.

How to REMOVE brake drum races using a shop press?

ksbowman
Explorer II
Aug 03, 2022
I do like @eHoefler said and quick welding bead and they almost or do fall out when the weld cools and shrinks the race.
Microlite_Mike
Explorer II
Aug 02, 2022
Huntindog wrote:
QCMan wrote:
Maybe try this non existent tool
https://www.harborfreight.com/3-jaw-pilot-bearing-puller-4876.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=12144811130&campaignid=12144811130&utm_content=117789253198&adsetid=117789253198&product=4876&store=726&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI3K3u7uul-QIV0WxvBB28SgqQEAQYBCABEgLoVfD_BwE
I'd rather spend the 13.00 on beer for after I finish the job using a drift... Heck, in a pinch, I have used a screwdriver.

Agree on the beer and using a screwdriver. Over the years I've actually found that a screwdriver actually got more "grip" on the race, depending on the hub.

Problem with this tool, and the bearing races they are supposed to pull, is that there is no room behind the race, where it is pressed into the hub' for it to grip.

The tool is for "Sleeve Type Bearings" where there is plenty of room for the 'fingers" to reach through and grip the EXPOSED surface of the sleeve.

Even if the fingers fit thorough the race (maybe the rear but good luck on the front), setting up the tool would take more time than a drift punch and hammer.
Huntindog
Explorer
Aug 02, 2022
QCMan wrote:
Maybe try this non existent tool
https://www.harborfreight.com/3-jaw-pilot-bearing-puller-4876.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=12144811130&campaignid=12144811130&utm_content=117789253198&adsetid=117789253198&product=4876&store=726&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI3K3u7uul-QIV0WxvBB28SgqQEAQYBCABEgLoVfD_BwE
I'd rather spend the 13.00 on beer for after I finish the job using a drift... Heck, in a pinch, I have used a screwdriver.
QCMan
Nomad III
Aug 01, 2022
Maybe try this non existent tool
https://www.harborfreight.com/3-jaw-pilot-bearing-puller-4876.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=12144811130&campaignid=12144811130&utm_content=117789253198&adsetid=117789253198&product=4876&store=726&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI3K3u7uul-QIV0WxvBB28SgqQEAQYBCABEgLoVfD_BwE
Grit_dog
Navigator
Aug 01, 2022
Stop overthinking. Could have popped them out in the time it took to write the question.
eHoefler
Explorer II
Aug 01, 2022
If you have a welder handy, run a bead all the way around on the race, turn it over and let cool. It will fall out, literally, it will fall out. I have built many gear boxes that have blind bearing caps, welding is the best way to remove the races with out damaging the cap.
dodge_guy
Explorer II
Aug 01, 2022
A hammer and a drift works great and is easier than setting it up in a press.
Vintage465
Nomad
Aug 01, 2022
I knock them out with a drift and freeze the new ones and install them with the same drift once they are tapped into place with a hammer. I don't use a brass drift or a brass hammer. The races are so much harder than the drift or the hammer, you'd have to really be asleep at the wheel to do any kind of damage to a race with either.
Microlite_Mike
Explorer II
Aug 01, 2022
Baja Man wrote:
Hello all--

I wanted to see if anyone has a method for removing brake drum/hub bearing races from trailer brake drums using a simple shop press.

I know there are kits that use machined alum discs of various sizes to install races and seals (either with a hammer, press, and air hammer) but have never seen how to remove them using a shop press.

I know how to remove races using a brass drift and hammer. You must access race at an angle, as the race can not be hit vertically with the drift. This is what makes using a press a challenge.

So.....how can races be removed from brake drums using a shop press?

Maybe it's so simple, I can't see it or think of it!!!

Thanks!

You listed pretty much all the reasons why it's too difficult to bother.

I've been using shop presses for over six decades and I can add a couple reasons to the list:

Shop presses are usually used to store all kinds of junk when not in use or are behind junk stored in front of them.

You have to adjust press beam to the right height.

If you don't want to bend hub/drum/disc you have to find a suitable backing device.

The action of the press is usually very slow.

By the time one gets the press cleared out/off, set up, and race pressed out (different setup for front and rear races) the average person could have all the races "punched" out of all four hubs/drums/disc's and well on their way to just installing with a proper tool (kit is about $50 or less on amazon for races and seals)

Shop presses are for gears and press on axle bearings. A waste of time for wheel bearing races.

Might be useful on large truck and off road equipment hubs but usually a portable hydraulic puller kit is more practical.
Baja_Man
Explorer
Aug 01, 2022
JRscooby wrote:
time2roll wrote:

The artist missed the fact the shape of hub will not let anything vertical reach the race. Driving them out, always working at angle.
OP, you might cut a bar the right length to lay on the race, then push the center.
Big races, with alloy hubs, where I fear the impact might distort the hub, I have just ran a bead in center of face. The weld will pull the race, let it just slide out.

Good idea about a bar across the race.....I'm thinking some 1/4" flat bar that is arced to fit race arc and just shy of the full width (there isn't much room between race and sides of drum....probably thousandths of an inch) of the race so doesn't scrape on sides of hub yet still fully catches race edge.

Thoughts?