Thread: Wheel bearing replacement, forgot to put on snap ring

SO..... All in a hustle and bustle, did lower ball joints wheel bearings, and new suspension on my old se-r ( sold to bro ) and after I press the hub back on, I look in the ground to clean up and sure as sh*t, I forgot to put the snap rings on.

Now... do I bite the bullet and take the hub off, POSSIBLY salvage the inner race and hope to press that back on... or get new bearings... or... just leave it be.

I really don't know the chance of the bearings coming off and wheels flying around at highway speed... and I know the snap ring is there for a reason, but should that be something to be worried about?

I'm a poop face.

Do it right. Pull it apart and put the snap ring in. If something happens, you'll be kicking yourself for not doing it. Will not only damage the hub but it will tear up the CV joint too. Worst case it causes you to have an accident & you get hurt, or hurt someone else. Not worth the risk.

Doesnt matter if the inner race comes off when you pull it apart, i've had to pull things apart like that before, put it back together and got no bearing problems. Just make sure it goes back together nice and square and don't lose any of the grease or let any debris get in there.

Can't remember if you could get the snap ring in past the seal without removing it though.

Yea man I agree 100%. Don't risk your like for $60 in parts and a couple hours.

Completely understood gentlemen, I don't like cutting corners myself I just wanted to make sure I guess. Again I'm not one to skimp on safety.

Time to pull the hub off..... Glad I didn't return the gear puller yet