Is there a trick to driving in the bearing race?

[Mark42]

Have to install new bearings and races in a cast iron hub. I'm going to freeze the race and warm up the hub, but besides that, any suggestions on how to drive them in even and without scoring the race face?

 

[BoatBuoy]

Re: Is there a trick to driving in the bearing race?

The last trick I used was to take it to my local auto-parts/light-machine-work shop and pay them $5 to press in both races and pack the bearings. I used to do it myself, but this seemed so much easier.

 

[bjcsc]

Re: Is there a trick to driving in the bearing race?

Should go in easy with that kind of prep, but if you have to drive it in, use a piece of wood (2x2, piece of an old tool handle, baluster, handrail, etc..) Go easy...they're hard steel and it will be cold on top of that...

 

[Tinlizzy]

Re: Is there a trick to driving in the bearing race?

This is the method I use that works great. If you have a large enough bench top vise place the hub in the vise. Position the race inside the hub and use a socket that fits inside the hub, large enough to cover the edge of the race. With the race started, begin to tighten the vice pressing the race inside. Nice and slow watching the race making sure you are driving it uniformly.

You might need to use some furring to face out the vise depending on the type/make.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Is there a trick to driving in the bearing race?

Races go in a lot easier if you place them in the freezer for a couple hours. A bearing driver is available at most auto parts stores or if you want to do it on the cheap, visit your local plumbing dept at Lowes, Home Depot etc, and find a pipe coupling that fits the hub. Add a short nipple with a cap and you have a couple dollar bearing driver that will not chip, slip, or damage the race and it will go in square.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Is there a trick to driving in the bearing race?

The last trick I used was to take it to my local auto-parts/light-machine-work shop and pay them $5 to press in both races and pack the bearings. I used to do it myself, but this seemed so much easier.

Oh yeah, Baby!!! This sounds like the best solution!

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Is there a trick to driving in the bearing race?

The last trick I used was to take it to my local auto-parts/light-machine-work shop and pay them $5 to press in both races and pack the bearings. I used to do it myself, but this seemed so much easier.

Yes, indeed. Let someone else do it. If it's only $5 per hub, it's not worth bothering with yourself, unless you need it yesterday.

 

[BF]

Re: Is there a trick to driving in the bearing race?

I just did mine a month or so ago.. I think you're overthinking it. I just tapped them in with a hammer and a big socket that caught the race, but would fit inside the hub. Piece of wood to cushion the taps a bit. Took all of 5 min's to seat the new races in both hubs... I wouldn't have been 1/2 way to the shop in that time... Letting someone else do it would've turned the 5 min job into a one hour job (assuming they'd do it while I waited).

 

[Mark42]

Re: Is there a trick to driving in the bearing race?

I'm done. I drove the races into the hub with hammer and a block of wood. That got them flush with the hub, then using a large socket (36mm) and the vice, it was really easy to press the races all the way in and feel them seat.

The hubs have Bearing Buddies on them. To clean just remove the out side circle clip, remove the spring and push out the piston. Then clean well and be sure to not cut the O ring seal. After cleaning and reassembling, they work smooth.

Thanks for all the advice.