Topic: Questions about rear hub/bearings and removal of swing arm rear bushings.

[jmelche2]

I am having the swing arm powder coated, replacing rear rim, spokes and polishing hub.  So hear are the questions:

1. Is there an easy way to remove the two bushings from the swing arm (the ones the shocks mount to)?  I know they are just pressed in but....

2. The bearing in the first photo has some roughness so I will replace it.  How do I get it out?  Which may lead to question #3. 

3. In the second photo, do I need to remove the "retainer" to get the bearing out.  Not sure how to do this without a special tool.

[Bodi]

1. Is there an easy way to remove the two bushings from the swing arm (the ones the shocks mount to)?  I know they are just pressed in but....
No. They are buggers to get out. Use a hacksaw blade to cut through the bushing without scarring the swingarm bore too badly, the bushing will collapse a bit and come out.

2. The bearing in the first photo has some roughness so I will replace it.  How do I get it out?  Which may lead to question #3. 
See #3, but possible you can bash it out from the other side. There's a spacer inside the bub that will shift a bit to the side, allowing you to hit against the inner race with a long punch or whatever. You should replace both bearings together, though.

3. In the second photo, do I need to remove the "retainer" to get the bearing out.  Not sure how to do this without a special tool.
Yes. You can make a tool. You must drill out the stakings, a 1/4" drill about 1/8" deep is good. Then

[jmelche2]

I got the bushings out with minimal scoring to the swing arm.

What stakings are you referring to? 

Thanks!

[BobbyR]

If you do a search on wheel bearings there are several threads with good instructions on how to drill out the stakes and remove the retaining ring. Simply put, when the retaining rings were placed over the wheel bearings and tightened. Once the retaining rigs were tight, a sharp punch was used in 4 places to deform the threads so that the rings could not turn. These stakes must be drilled "clean". If you muscle the ring off without drilling out the staked threads, you ruin all of the threads. 

There are some very good threads on the subject.