Leaving for FWP in Longview, TX. to ride this weekend and had to replace the rear bearings on my sportsman 500. Got rear hubs off, but cant get the bearings out. I know they are pressed bearings, but they will not even come out with a 60,000 pound press. Any suggestions, or has anyone replaced these before? Any help would be appreaciated.

 

I have replaced each rear bearing on my 96 Sportsman 500. You may already know this but the bearing has to come out from the outside. On the inside there are 3 notches on which you will use a heavy punch to knock the bearing out. It will take a lot of hammering and you will probably break a punch or two or at least have to regrind the face a few times. Once the bearing has moved to the outside edge of the hub you will have to rest the hub in a vise so that the bearing is not bottoming out on the ground. If you overlooked the notches perhaps the press will work.
When you replace the bearing you may find it quite difficult. The first bearing I had took tremendous effort while the second bearing, which was done on a different occassion, went in with no problems. It helps considerably to place the new bearing in a freezer while heating the hub in an oven. I put a very light coat of oil on the bearing to help it go in.
I hope this will help you out.