Can anyone out there tell me what is involned in replacing the front wheel bearing on a 2001 honda 450 foreman ES? Can it be done without removing everything?

 

Welcome aboard!!!! Define everything?

 

I have not done a Honda front wheel, but have done two yamahas...I would say they are pretty similar. You will need to remove the wheel, brake caliper, axle nut, the hub end of the tie rod, and then remove the actual hub from the a-arms so that you have the entire front hub in your hand. On my yamahas the bearings each have to go their own way out. Spray the inside of the hub all down with a penetrating oil of some sort and then heat the hub up with a little propane torch. Once you get the old bearing out...use something and cut a slice accross the old bearing and only keep the outer race which now has a slice in it so it will contract down. When you put the new bearings back in you can use the old outer race to take the brunt of the hammer (as a pusher) and then just pop the sliced on back out...hope this is making some sense. Any more questions post back...
Mudslinger2

 

Also I would like to add to what mudslinger said alittle bit, the honda has an large snap ring thats has to be removed in order for the bearing to be removed, also if you have an welder, if bearing comes apart take the welder and weld an bead of weld around on the inside of race, this weld will race to draw up making easier removial....