Reply to "How do I remove the set of drive wheels and Worn Wheel of Postwar Locomotive 736?"

Is it possible that once the old bearings are out that you can assemble the axle with a new gear in the chassis first and then slide the new bearing over the axle onto the journal and press into the chassis? This would overcome the problem of putting the bearings in first and damaging them by forcing the knurled part for the gear through one of them.