This is a detailed instruction on the removal of the ball bearings in a Bob James centrepin reel and has been kindly compiled by Geoff Parmenter. Thanks Geoff.
The bearings are just a push fit into the bearing housing and no heat or extraction tools will be required.
1. Remove spool from reel
2. Remove circlip ‘A’ using circlip pliars or thin nosed pliars
3. Pull off the gear ‘B’ easing it over the small locating pin
4. Remove the thin ‘O’ ring ‘C’
5. Unscrew and remove the locking collar ‘D’ by inserting a small screwdriver blade in the gap in the collar and pushing in an anti-clockwise direction until it is fully unscrewed.
6. The outside bearing ‘F’ should then just come out with a few taps on the palm of your hand and the spacing bush ‘G’ will probably come with it.
7. Unscrew and remove the small brass end float screw ‘E’ from the opposite end of the spool.
8. To remove the inner bearing ‘H’, insert a narrow probe (I found a small Allen key was ideal) into the hole exposed by the removal of the end float screw and gently push the edges of the bearing until it is far enough up the bearing housing to allow it to be tapped out as for the outer bearing.
Note: the probe/allen key needs to be narrow enough to be angled in the hole towards the outside of the bearing before pushing commences otherwise you may damage the bearing shields which may cause the bearing to bind. Push at various points around the circumference of the bearing to ensure the bearing is removed evenly. If the outer bearing and spacing bush did not come out easily, you should be able to push all three out at the same time using this method. Some penetrating fluid may help if they are particularly stubborn but none was needed in my case.
Replacement order is the reverse of the above. When replacing the bearings, use the spacing bush to push the inner bearing to the end of the housing and then insert the outer bearing.
Bob James centrepin
The River Angler 
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