I have two rear wheels for my project. I used the worst of the two to experiment with bearing removal. Heat, WD40, so forth, but lets just face it, not an easy task. The lip of the bearings are very difficult to reach with a punch or chisel due to the sleeve between the bearings, some suggest bending the sleeve for better access, but in my case the prongs came loose and since they are pressed on, I don't know if a repair is possible, but both rear wheel bearings were finally knocked out. Removal of the hub bearing is piece of cake, great access, knocked it out with a right sized socket.
I looked it my good wheel last evening and decided, the good Lord made tools for a reason. When Harbor Freight opened this morning I was standing there with my Christmas gift card in hand. I now own a blind hole bearing remover tool, the slide hammer type. I will probably use it once a year if I am lucky, but no more beating with a hammer and punch and inventing new curse words.....
