Hi Team - I’ve set about changing over the swivels on my SIII - first major job I’ve undertaken on my car. Following various YouTube guides, I tapped out the half shaft bearing from the swivel using a punch - the only part accessible is the copper coloured inner cage (see photo) which suffered some denting by the punch on the way out. It’s now a bit damaged but rollers all present and spin. Do you think I can still use it? I don’t want to replace with a Brit part if.I can help it. I tried it on the half shaft and it fits snuggly on the collar - no play but tight ish (that might be how it feels off the vehicle not fully lubed up). One question I do have is... when the bearing is off the shaft, should the roller cage (I.e. the copper coloured bit) also spin round in the outer case as a whole unit or is the cage and the rollers static within the outer - i.e. does a roller at 3 o’clock within the bearing stay there or move round the outer. I obviously know the roller spin but do the set of rollers also rotate round the outside of the shell. They don’t turn currently but not sure if that is because they never did or due to the damage? Thoughts welcome.

If your doing both swivels take the other swivel off and compare it without knocking it out.
If you heat up the old swivel then bash it down on some wooden blocks you should be able to get the bearing to drop out place a cloth for it to land on.

Thanks - I’m just doing the one side for now. I reckon someone should have the answer amongst this knowledgeable bunch

When I did mine I mullered it like that, Had to get new bearings.
Edit....yes you,ve probly knackered it.

I'd worry the rollers weren't being held properly in line with each other, which might make them wear more quickly, even if they are apparently free to rotate.
Was the copper cage really the only part you could get to? I recall the lip of the outer part of the bearing was just about proud, and a flat-ended punch could be used on that.

yes the inner cage should rotate in the housing , get a decent one for replacement

Thanks Steve - new one installed. You were quite right. Expensive mistake. Not sure how you can get them out without them breaking.

I can’t remember how I did mine bit of tube maybe to knock out all round the perimeter at once , I also have some heavy round brass bar I prob used as a drift at least it’s sorted now