Ok, so this thread has the rear hub service covered. Earlier today I replaced the front bearings 6001x2. I thought I’d add to the thread as a technical reference for others.
To start you need to unscrew the end caps from the axle using a 5mm hex on both sides. This one was stuck fast so it took a couple of sharp cracks to free up one side.
The other end cap was stuck in the hub, so I screwed the newly freed cap back in slightly (about half way) and tapped it free using a mallet and hope hub support. The end caps both screw into an alloy axle. Drifting the axle out also pulled the bearing out with it.
N.B.You need to remove both end caps from the axle. You won’t be able to remove the bearing with them in place.
Annoyingly, the other end cap was seized in the axle so it needs freeing using the vice which scored it slightly in the middle. Again short sharp cranks to snap it free.
Then drift the axle away from the bearing. And slide hammer out the other gunky bearing from the hub shell….yuk!
Clean up the hub and install your fresh 6001’s. I’d go for NTN or SKF but be careful of fakes on eBay etc…
This press has already paid for itself the amount of times I’ve used it. It took a few attempts to get the bearing seated square on. I rotated the wheel as I pressed home the bearings and I used a small amount of park antiseize paste on the shell.
Don’t forget to put the axle back in before pressing the other bearing in, it wont pass through to its central location with both bearings installed.
Tighten up the end caps (not too much preload mind!) and it might take a bit of faff to locate the axle again.
All done!
Hopefully that’s the wheels sorted for a while and I hope this helps someone out in the future.