Quote:

I was hoping to confirm if I could just unbolt the front bearing retainer and switch the bearing out.



According to everybody ... NO. According to John-boy, yes - but then he tends to condradict everyone.

Who you want to believe is up to you. Personally, and I've done a few and I've NEVER had an input bearing come off the shaft (or go on again) without significant effort. If I ever had one slip on or off with as little effort as John's did I think I'd throw the shaft away.