Possible to remove hub bearings after 6 months?

(I think sometimes we should have a "Support Group / Self-Help" Sticky Thread that people can post their "While I am at it..." thoughts and be talked back down to reality.)

So, when I had my swiss cheese frame replaced in February (under warranty), I gave the dealer some parts to install in place of the originals that were disintegrating. (Rear Shocks, Rear Trailer Hitch/Cross Member, and two front hub assemblies).

I was an idiot and did not pay the small fee of $120 for 2 new front dust shields since the hubs were being replaced. I need to replace the front brakes this weekend and will be including 2 new calipers since one is hanging up.

So my question, is there any possible way (like that scene in Marvel's End Game where Dr. Strange checks 1 million different possibilities/realities) that I would be able to remove the hub bearings that have been installed for 6 months without destroying them? I know the dust shields don't do "much" but they do something right? Or do I just do the brakes, rotors, and calipers and ignore the crumbling dust shields?

 

The dust shields do "something"... at least on my 1st gen, after pulling them off I learned they help keep hot rotors from melting the outer TRE boot, followed by grease melting onto the rotor.

The hubs should come out relatively easy, especially since they haven't even gone through a winter yet from the sounds of it. Tip: hammer blows to the bolt ears (obviously need a punch/drift in this case) or even better an air chisel & blunt bit... try to rotate it, just to break it free, then you can pull it out. Unfortunately with the bolts from the outside, you can't use Tip B, which is to put a socket on the head of one of the mount bolts that's only threaded in a couple turns & whack that with a hammer to push the hub out.

 

They should come out easy. There's an O-ring that keeps water out of the interface. Toyota trucks are the only ones done this way I think.

 

cut the dust shield in half and install around the bearing

 

Absolutely possible.

You’ll need a 35mm socket, a 17mm wrench, and a 10mm socket.
35mm for the axle nut
17mm for the hub bolts.

I also used Blue lock-title for the hub bolts.

 

It should be easy as the hub is only held on with 4 bolts, and 1 cv axle nut if you have a 4x4. If you do have a 4x4 make sure to remove the ABS sensor before you remove them.

 

Check out this clip from my wheel bearing replacement vid. The dust shield replacement is super easy. Follow what @TnShooter said

https://youtube.com/clip/Ugkx5_saj3dSeehotR3alyRHzvNg97LWrrSQ

 

If you do it yourself I would and have some trouble keeping the dust plate in place just use a bit of gasket maker to keep it in place while you place the bearing assembly in place.