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Hello all,

Working on my 1954 M37. Broke the rear axle to replace some seals, and noticed one rear hub had bad bearings.

I am trying to replace the race(s), probably both the inner and outer. Definitely the inner (pitted, trashed), maybe the outer.

Is there an easy way to go about this process?

I ordered the correct parts; have the axle all torn down; just trying to figure out the best approach to get the race(s) out.

Thanks,

dispatcher1011

You will have to drive them out of the hub. If there is a Harbor Freight anyplace near you they have brass drifts that you can use to drive them out. Brass is softer than the hub or race and will not damage the hub.

To drive the new races in you will have to have some sort of driver to evenly push the race in as you hammer. HF also has some race driver sets as well.

Alan

Brute force is required to remove the races, the key is not TOO much force. Once you get it moving, it will come out.

To do the work on the hub:

First, carefully drive the old races out with a brass or copper drift. Drive them out evenly. Don't just hit on one side. Clean the old races and set them aside for use later.

Second, After they are both out check your hub for and burrs or damage that will need to be taken care of before installing the new races.

Third, Do not ever hit the new races directly with a hammer or steel drift. If you do they will be distorted and will be junk. Carefully start the races in the hub with your brass or copper drift, and work them in evenly until the race gets to the edge of the hub. Then use the old race (narrow edge to narrow edge) and gently drive them in deeper. Now if the driver race starts to stick in the hub flip it over and use the opposite edge to drive with (this is so you will have an edge to hit with your drift if it becomes stuck in the hub). Once the new race seems to be seated use your finger nail or a feeler gauge and make sure it is seated tightly all the way around the hub, and repeat on the other race. Make sure you keep the driver race centered and flat on the new race at all times.

Hope this helps,

Steve