Hello All, I am fixing to go ahead and replace the front wheel bearings in my 04 Sportsman 500ho. I have replaced the ones in the rear before so I have some experience. I would like to know if I have to take out the hole strut? I also would like to know as of what do I need to heat; the hub or bearing to get it out? I am wondering if a propane tourch is enough. I have done a few searches and none clarify these questions. Thanks for all the help.

 

I don't think they bearings have changed much on the sporstmans since I changed them on my 2001 500ho. Once you remove the axle nut all the bearings just slide right out. I know you shouldn't have to press them in or out like on the rear from what I remember. There are about 3 different sets of bearings in the front. Some are tapper and I believe one regular. It's been a long while though. Should be easy if you've done the back before you have experience.

 

Yes the bearings have changed and yes they are pressed in. It is just one solid bearing just like the ones on the rear. I just heard that you can just heat them up and they fall out but I don't know which to heat up the hub or bearing and will a propane tourch be enouth.

 

i removed entire strut. heated with propane torch to remove and to reinstall brng. it is pretty much the same routine as in the rear.

 

What do I do to remove the strut? Do I need to take the spring and shock out with it as a hole or can I just get the strut off the shock?

 

i found it easier to remove strut/spring/lower a arm as one piece. remove top bolt and hardware from strut. remove caliper bolts and tie caliper up out of the way. remove the front and rear lower control arm bolts. remove tie rod. remove axle nut and slide whole assy off axle. remove snap ring from housing and clean all dirt from groove and housing. i then took a propane torch and gently heat housing. it will take awhile to get it hot enough to swell up so the bearing will come out easy. put new brng in freezer and reheat the housing again and it should drop in pretty easy. hope this helps

 

Thanks for the relplies I beleive that I can get the job done now. I just wish that my cv's weren't so hard to get out. I am going to have a time beating and pulling trying to get the cv's out. I think that I might heat up the hub first to see if it helps in getting them out.

 

Just a reminder-When doing small work and heat is needed your better off using "Map Gas" instead of propane if torches aren't available, bottles are same size and roughly same cost just a lot hotter then propane-they usually keep them side by side in auto parts stores.