Hi All, So after scrounging the forum and the net, here is how I plan to install my axle bearings and spacers. In the pics below I have: 1) Coal Stove 2) Collapsing coat rack 3) 2 coat hangers 4) Digital Thermometer 5) Axles in the fridge Not picture: 1) Brake wheel on the floor, hub facing up, to set the axle on for bearing install. 2) 3' length of 2" O.D. x 1 5/8" I.D. steel pipe to "persuade" the bearing and spacer, if I must. 3) 2lb hand sledge hammer to help with #2. The rack and hangers are set up so the bearing and spacer will be in line with the forced air from the stove. The temp is reading approx 155 Deg F with a variance of +10ish. I have my axles in the fridge that measure approx 34 Deg F +/- 5ish. They have been there since 6pm Eastern time on 1/20/14. I measured axle mating surface at 1.3784" min to 1.3788" max between the 2 of them. The new Moser sealed bearings w/o-ring I got are advertised at 1.377" and measured at 1.379" with a caliper. My questions: 1) What would be the min time I should leave the bearings/spacers in the heat? 2) Should I stick the axles in the freezer instead of the fridge? 3) I've seen people install the Moser bearings with the o-ring towards the inside AND/OR the outside of the housing. Is there a correct orientation? Thanks in advance! Adam
Another trick is to mix oil and water in a pot and heat it until the water starts to boil. That gives you 212F if you're at sea level. Once you remove the bearings from the pot, you'll probably see an almost immediate air-quench of 30F or so, giving you right in the neighborhood of 180F required to expand the bearings enough. My uncle is a machinist and has been for over 30 years working in the Nuclear Industry, and we have actually been talking A LOT about this very subject. My only personal experience has been with a 20 ton shop press when I replaced the bearings on my 77 about 15 years ago. I used no delta-T or anything special and they came off and went on without problems. Good luck! Let us know how you make out! P.S. Not sure how the temp will affect the seals in the bearings.
Paul, Thanks for the reply! I've read different opinions on heating sealed bearings.... I aim to keep the bearing temp around 150-160 and hope the seals take it. I have the brake wheel near the stove... I'll set the axle on it so I have the shortest distance to get the bearing on the shaft, "persuade" it into place, quick slide the spacer on and "persuade" both of them to seat. I plan on giving them a tap for a few minutes while everything start to come to ambient temp. I'll keep you posted! Thanks, Adam P.S. The Nuclear world I know has procedures that "MUST" be followed to do anything. If the procedure needs a revision, put the job off for a few days until the rev is approved!
Hi 71gold !! 2 reasons: 1) I dont have a press. (Not that I'm too cheap to take it to a shop though) 2) The bearings,to me, are cheap enough that I figured I would get some hands-on experience and knowledge and try it this way! If I dont get them seated, I'll buy 2 more bearings and try to refine the process with what I have, or I'll buy 2 more bearings and let a pro do it! Thanks! Adam
not as much fun. I mean sure you don't have to worry as much, but isn't this just as much about the journey?
Hey Craig! I own a modified Maverick..... Nothings Easy-Peezy!!!!! Why not enjoy the pain! The bearing has been at 190F for about an hour now. I'm putting on the gloves as soon as I click "Submit Reply".... :evilsmile
Well, The first set went on with very mild persuasion! Stupid me... Had my phone in place to record and forgot to press the button in my nervous excitement! I'll record the 2nd bearing install.... Adam
Here are pics of the 1st axle bearing/spacer install.. Adam BTW... I removed the o-ring as a precaution.
Some people like doing things the hard way. But why ask for advice if you're mind is already made up? I watched my friend do his. Cut the bearings off with a die-grinder & cutoff wheel (not all the way through and into the axle; just enough to knock them off with a hammer & chisel), then pressed the new bearings on with a big hydraulic press. 'Took only a few minutes, and cost nothing.
Hard way, or learning by experience? Big difference. You can tell someone how to make it through life but without the mistakes, they are just an empty shell doing what someone tells them to. As for the advise I asked for..... My questions in the original post do not ask for the "easiest" way to do this. None of the 3 questions were answered. I continued on and at this point was successful. I'll find out later(when I'm driving the mav) if I screwed them up internally. On to the next task.... Assembling the locker... Thanks, Adam
definitely nothing wrong with learning how to do it yourself. even if you had to take it to a shop and they didnt charge you a dime you still took time and gas so nothing is free but learning something new is worth a bunch I hope it worked out for you. I have to admit though the whole time I was thinking why is he doing it this way instead of just having it pressed on. after reading all of your posts I learned you were in search of knowledge through experience. no better way to learn than to do it. even if its not right you still learned something lol
