How to Remove Hub Bearings

Non Shouldered:


A non-shouldered axle is smooth across the length of the axle, allowing for it to slide completely thru the bearings. If you can remove the axle from the hub or pivot completely without removing the bearing, you will use open bore adapters to press new bearings back in.

Shouldered:


A shouldered axle has a shoulder, or a stop, that prevents the axle from sliding completely thru the bearings. When disassembling the hub or pivot, if you have to push the bearing out of its bore using the axle, you will need an over axle adapter to press in the new bearing.

Open Bore Adapters:


The outer diameter of the open bore adapter matches the outer diameter of the bearing you are pressing. The adapter will have a step down to match the inner diameter of the bearing. This step is critical to keep the bearing aligned properly while pressing.

For pretty much all hub applications, you will need at least one open bore adapter. Bearing replacement with a non-shouldered axle is a fairly simple and straight-forward process, and should require the use of two open bore adapters. Both bearings are pressed into the hub shell before the axle is installed.

IMPORTANT: Bearing identification

Once you can see the bearings, clean them so you can read the bearing ID code to make sure you have the proper size replacement bearings. Make sure you accurately identify your bearing! Using the wrong size adapter for a bearing is a quick way to damage a bearing and possibly the hub or frame pivot.

Always press one bearing at a time. Use one adapter in the bearing you are pushing, and one adapter on the opposite side directly against the shell or frame. You will probably need an adapter slightly larger than the OD of the bearing that goes into the opposite side. Or, use an adapter with a step that matches the bearing bore in the shell to keep everything centered and in alignment.

Over Axle Adapters

Over Axle adapters are meant to be used with shouldered axles, or where the bearing slides over the axle first before it is pressed in. Over axle adapters will press on both the inner and outer races of the bearing. With a shouldered axle you’ll follow the procedure above using an open bore adapter to press your first bearing into one side of the hub or frame, then from the opposite side of the hub you’ll insert your axle into the bearing bore as seen in the photo below.

For hubs or pivots where the axle is longer than the adapters you are using, you would need to use our Speed Spacer to extend the length of the adapter setup beyond the end of the axle, allowing the press to push the bearing in completely. Use a Speed Spacer with the same inside diameter as the outside diameter of your axle.

If your axle has a hole thru it that is 10mm or larger, you can use the Press 1 handles to press in the bearing. If the axle is for a quick release skewer or smaller than 10mm, you can use the Press 2 skewer as your press, or any QR skewer. The Press 1 rod is also drilled and tapped on one end so you can use a skewer thru the axle and threaded into the rod as your pressing mechanism.