Originally Posted by tetonrider

i've successfully removed/reinstalled cups with bearings pressed in, but there are no guarantees and shops will tell you (CYA) that it can't be done--or at least not done with certainty. there's some truth to this.

it's not hard, it just requires some gentle handling. many people remove these cups by banging on the bearings which will, of course, destroy the bearings. it's the easiest way.

i'd at least try to salvage the bearings/cups. try to remove them yourself. you'll be able to tell if they're ruined. feel the quality of how they rotate before you remove them, then after. you'll know if you did it right.

what's the worst that could happen?