In a message dated 12/28/01 6:02:59 PM, wilden1@JUNO.COM writes:

<< I've cut a lot of axle bearings off
with acetylene but I'd use a grinder where a little mare care could be
taken. >>

Cutting a kerf with a small abrasive cutoff wheel to create a stress riser in
the race is a good way to go.  One with a diameter of 1 - 2 inches works
better because it allows a deeper kerf to be cut without the risk of grooving
the spindle.  If you don't have a small diameter wheel at hand, make you own
by wasting away a 4 inch wheel on some convenient concrete or a bench
grinder.  When I used to do this, I thought I was cheating by using such a
crude technique.  Then, I spent $50 to have a Syncro front wheel bearing
removed at an established transmission rebuilder.  When I got the pieces
home, there was an errant telltale gash in the axle.  It seems this shop,
with every known drivetrain tool at hand, used the same gash and split
technique I used.  The only difference was that I was more careful.

Rich