Two questions:

1. Any tips on knocking out the races? I located the indents in the hub and still struggling to knock them out.

2. How critical is it to replace the races themselves? Obviously the bearings are a wear item but the races look fine to my eyes.

 

use a drift and knock out the races by hammering the drift down the indents a little bit each side. You need to hit it hard!

Very important!

 

As Greg says

Traditionally the recommendation has always been to replace the races when replacing the bearings because the races will have some wear....even if minute....which prevent perfect bearing-to-race contact.

I suspect what's likely to happen if you don't replace them would be the new bearings simply not lasting as long as they should.

But....

Just replace 'em. You'll feel better in the end!

Cheers
DD

 

Appreciate the replies gentlemen, but I give up.

I have hit the backside of the outer race countless times, hard, and it hasn’t moved a hair. And yes- I’m hitting it the correct direction where the two little indents are.