HELP! the *!&%**!!! races don't fit!

[jtexas]

Took my hubs apart today, a little discoloration on one, so I got the bearing kit, numbers match the ones I took off. Got a press from autozone.<br /><br />How hard & how long should I have to pound to get the races into the hub? I'm about to destroy the tool I put $50 deposit on if I keep pounding it like I am.<br /><br />Is there a trick to this?<br /><br />The other hub I'm just repacking the old bearings. I'm not going through this again!@<br /><br /><br />thanks,

 

[Silvertip]

Re: HELP! the *!&%**!!! races don't fit!

What's the problem? You do have the old race out?Can't get the new race started in the hub? Tool bottoming on the hub? Just hammering away is apparently getting you nowhere. Races are an interference fit in the hub but you don't need to destroy them in the process. I've installed them using the old race as a driver and a short 2x4 to spread the blow evenly.

 

[djvan]

Re: HELP! the *!&%**!!! races don't fit!

Throw them in the freezer overnight. That will shrink them a little, while not needed it sometimes helps.<br /><br />DougV>

 

[BillP]

Re: HELP! the *!&%**!!! races don't fit!

The same thing happened to me last year and it was the wrong size parts. My hubs were just different enough for the "bearing kit" not to fit. This took me by surprise because I've owned the trailer since 1985 and "bearing kits" have ALWAYS fit (I think the problem is most kits use spindle size for matching, not individual race and bearing numbers). This time it was different and I couldn't get the races to "start". I took a hub and the new parts back to the trailer shop and they put a micrometer on everything. The interference was too tight with that particular brand kit but impossible to tell by just looking. The shop matched parts by measuring and they slid in just like normal...and I use a 2x4 across the hub and rubber mallet to drive them home.<br /><br />Also, replacing new bearings in old races MAY result in a poor fit not seen by the naked eye. It's a good way to have early bearing failure. It's a pain in the azz but you will have less bearing problems if you replace matched races/bearings everytime.

 

[jtexas]

Re: HELP! the *!&%**!!! races don't fit!

Thanks, guys. I had scarred the inside of the hub a little getting the races out & a couple tiny burrs make a lot of difference apparently. Used my drill with a grinding wheel to smooth it out.<br /><br />Upinsmoke's old-race-driver method worked, but I couldn't get the old race out. The press I got from the parts store scored the race when I used it. So I drove the bearing & race in together. When I got the seal on, I couldn't spin the bearing...must have not got it all the way in. That's the inner bearing, I didn't even mess with the outer.<br /><br />I just gave up on it, bought a new hub with races already pressed in. I'd like to get this one working as a spare if I can.<br /><br />Billp, when you use a 2x4 across the hub, how do you sink it all the way in to the stops?

 

[BillP]

Re: HELP! the *!&%**!!! races don't fit!

Originally posted by jtexas:<br /> <br />Billp, when you use a 2x4 across the hub, how do you sink it all the way in to the stops?

Drive with the 2x4 until flush. Then when everything is installed you "bring it home" by tightening the hub nut. Mine usually don't need more than a 1/2 turn to seat the races. Then back out the nut and adjust as usual.

 

[jtexas]

Re: HELP! the *!&%**!!! races don't fit!

Originally posted by BillP:<br />

Originally posted by jtexas:<br /> <br />Billp, when you use a 2x4 across the hub, how do you sink it all the way in to the stops?

Drive with the 2x4 until flush. Then when everything is installed you "bring it home" by tightening the hub nut. Mine usually don't need more than a 1/2 turn to seat the races. Then back out the nut and adjust as usual.

that's it? boy do I feel silly! <br /><br /><br />thanks,

 

[BrettNC]

Re: HELP! the *!&%**!!! races don't fit!

Jtexas,<br /><br />BillP's technique is a good one if the race moves easily into the hub. If the press or BillP's technique does not work then try a small punch and hammer. Hammer lightly and evenly around the circumference of the old race. It could take a while. The upside is it works, even if the race is stubborn. The downside is you have to make sure that the punch does not slip and scratch the bearing surface. <br /><br />In the future, never beat or press with an extreme force on a roller bearing to install a race. Roller bearings are only designed for a certain and minimal pressure against the race.<br /><br />Sometimes it is just worth it to buy the entire hub.

 

[Bondo]

Re: HELP! the *!&%**!!! races don't fit!

I've Always used a Brass Punch..........<br /><br />Both driving them Out,+ Back In.......<br /><br />Any burrs,... If you can See it, or Feel it,... It's TOO Big,+ Needs to be removed........