I need to replace the wheels on my lawn tractor cart. Simple process. I was inspired to do this browsing at Harbor Freight (a discount hardware store chain here in the states. emphasize discount and de-emphasize quality) and saw some replacement wheels. Turns out they come with a new set of bearings. Provided helpfully strapped to the wheel, loose not installed. I haven’t seen that before and it turns out I don’t know how to deal with such things. I want to install the replacement bearing in the wheel. But there is a metal bushing in the shaft tunnel where the axle will go. It appears that the bearing would fit in the shaft tunnel if the bushing was not there. The bushing is press fit into the shaft tunnel and I can’t remove it without a lot of damage. I don’t have a bearing press. I don’t understand why the manufacturer would provide a spare bearing and seemingly require major tools and expertise to use the bearing. If I had the press and experience to install the bearing, I would have ready access to better bearings then they are likely to provide. Anyway, is this enough information for someone to hazard a guess as to what I am to do with this spare bearing? I tried their website, but not only no instructions but the sales page doesn’t show the extra bearing at all. Is this normal procedure for small replacement tires? These are small 15" tires rated for 300 lbs and < 5mph. 
I’m not getting some of your wording (shaft tunnel?) but have used a number of these types of wheels. The bearing presses in with little force. They may come with a reducer bushing for 1/2" axle instead of 5/8". They may come with a separate bearing for a different size axle. Does the web page for the wheel show much?
I was trying to be overly descriptive in the hope of being clear. Naturally that didn’t work. “shaft tunnel” was my way of describing the hole where the axle goes. I tried using the word shaft but that usually means the axle itself, not the space were the axle goes. So I tried to over-describe the term.
The ID of the bushing already in the wheel is somewhat bigger than 5/8s, probably ¾. The bearing I got with the wheel has an ID that is clearly for a ⅝ in axle and the bearing fits in to the wheel except that the bushing is already there. I don’ know what to do with the extra bearing if I don’t remove the bushing.
So currently I have: a wheel (with a tire already mounted) with a central hole that appears to be 1" in diameter. The wheel came with a bushing that reduces the ID of the wheel to ¾. Th wheel came with a bearing race (not installed, just a part) that reduces the ID of the wheel hub to 5/8s. I can’t install the bearing race unless I remove the bushing. It seems like a difficult task (to me) to remove the pressed in bushing and install the bearing race. I don’t own a bearing press. I am hoping I misunderstand how the wheel works and there is an easier way to make use of the bearing. But I am not seeing it and am seeking advice.
All that matters is that you got the wheel you ordered.
Did you order a wheel with bearings or without ?
if you ordered without bearings, Is the bushing already installed for axle size that you ordered ?
If either the axle size, or lack of installed bearings is a problem compared to description , I think they sent the wrong part … the bearing not installed is useless if you ordered a wheel with bearing installed.
Maybe they had a communication breakdown… and sent the bushing wheels , with the bearing to replace the bushing ? “Can you send that same wheel with bearings ? yes, wheel with bearings… sending bushing wheel with suitable bearing sticky taped to it.”
What if you keep this wheel and install the bearing ? Hammering out the bushing as it is may cause great destruction ? Is it like a rivet you drill off one end ? then hammer it out. If its not expanded at the end like a rivet, you just hammer it out.,
So then you drill the hole to be quite tight fit for the new bearing, and hammer that in… Trouble may occur if the hole once the bushing is removed is too large for the bearing. But you can shim it. (pack stuff in. There’s professional shims for cart wheel axle bores, but you can shim it with cut bits of tin can, etc. . )
If I understand the OP correctly, after browsing the Harbor Freight website, he went down to a local HF store and purchased a wheel (or two) for his lawn tractor cart. Once he got said wheel(s) home, he discovered the bushing in the hub of the wheel did not fit the axle, but included with the purchase was a bearing that can replace the bushing and will fit the axle, but he does not have the knowledge or equipment to do this.
First, if you could include a link to an ad for the wheel you bought, it could help. A lot. Like this
Second, do you have a hammer and a socket wrench set? My guess is that if you look at the hub of the wheel carefully, you will notice that the one end of the hub is slightly smaller than the other, leaving a small lip of the bushing inside the hub. Find a socket that will fit inside the hub, but will hang on this lip. Tap lightly on the socket to drive the bushing out. Make sure there is clearance for the bushing to exit on the other side. If you don’t have a socket the right size, take a ruler and measure the inside diameter of the hub (the end that does not have the bushing extending flush). Measure as accuratelly as you can. Go to the closest pawn shop in your town. You will find a box of used sockets in that shop priced at something like $0.50 each. You might even take one of the bearings with you to help you get the right size. Find one that is the right size and give the man 50 cents.
Use the same socket to drive the bearing in. When you use the hammer, don’t be a gorilla. A hammer can damage stuff, but you really have to try. If moderate tapping does not get the bushing to move, try to figure out what is wrong. When seating the bearing, make sure the socket is resting on the outer race (not the seal or inner part of the bearing) and when it makes contact with the lip in the hub, stop beating, you’re done.
@excavating_for_a_mind
Thanks!
I am impressed-you figured out what I was trying to say! For some reason I am both too wordy and to obtuse to easily communicate. It is a problem I am still trying to overcome.
I should have included that link, it is the tire I am dealing with. But it doesn’t show much detail. You can see the bushing. (unfortunately the picture is the older version of this tire. The one I purchased does not contain the grease fitting.)
Your explanation of how the wheel works should help me a lot. I will try it.
I don’t quite understand to determine which side of the hub is smaller. The next step is also a challenge to understand. Both ends of the hub contain press fit bushings. The bushings extend about ½ inch into the hub. I can’t access either bushing from the other side (if that is what you mean) because there is a bushing in that side. The ID of the bushings is ¾ inch. My axle is ⅝ inch. The ID of the bearing is 5/8 inch. Perhaps I can use a long thin rod to gently pound on the inside of the bushing such that it will come out? Do you think that will work?
When I needed to replace a mower deck wheel on our lawn tractor, I considered getting a generic replacement at Harbor Freight or Tractor Supply. Instead I spent a few dollars more and got the Kubota replacement that was plug and play.
A punch, drift or rod should help tap the bushings out if there is space between them inside the bore.
Toss the bearing in the freezer for a bit before trying to install it.
Thanks to all!
especially K2500 who nailed it.
Once he gave me the secret, it was obvious. Isn’t that always the case?
I hammered out the bushings, put the bearings in the freezer for 30 minutes, hammered them into the hub and I am good to go.
Thanks to everyone on the Dope!
Flattery will get you everywhere