Rear wheel bearing job

[sannabay]

I have to change the bearings in the rear wheel. Question is can It be done with the bearing housing still attached to the van? The bently book shows it removed and in a vice. I don't fancy having to undo those rusted up nuts that hold the hub assembly in place if I don't have to.
I read somewhere about replacing the spacer tube in the hub, is that necessary?
Cheers fellas

 

[*Sam*]

No I'm afraid not and you might need a press depending how good a condition your hubs are in, which is another thing to take into account, the hubs often ware leaving the outer bearing race loose in the hub resulting in play at the wheel despite the new bearings.

 

[Trikky2]

I have done a couple and the spacer did not need to be replaced and the hub stayed on the bus. Job done as described in the Haynes manual.

I can't see the need to remove the hub carrier or replace the spacer unless the bearings have seized and started to rotate and move within the housing.

If the bearings have been so neglected that the housing is damaged then it's likely cheaper to replace the housings than to repair them.