Originally Posted by
mtbikerinpa
Removal is often required for a good bearing rebuild on the hub itself.
I have used air-impact wrenches successfully before, as long as the socket is shallow enough to provide enough pressure against the tool.
The problem was not so much the force used but rather incorrect use of the removal tool.
Still if you have to maintain the hub, FW may stay as long as you only repack with grease (and change the cones/axle). It only comes necessary when you remove the races of the hub...
It is very difficult to properly clean the drive side cup without freewheel removal, and not possible to inspect the cup for damage. Removing races is almost never done. Again anyone who doing such a thing would (or should) know how to do it.