GMCforum
For enthusiast of the Classic GMC Motorhome built from 1973 to 1978. A web-based mirror of the GMCnet mailing list.

Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » Need some tips for installing new rear bearing races
Need some tips for installing new rear bearing races [message #334904] Tue, 10 July 2018 20:14 Go to next message
RF_Burns is currently offline  RF_Burns   Canada
Messages: 2277
Registered: June 2008
Location: S. Ontario, Canada
Karma: 3
Senior Member
So I've got new Timken bearings to install in the rear wheels and need a few tips.

I put the races in the freezer for a couple of hours, then I tried one outer and it seemed really tough to install. I used the old race as a driving tool. I put a bit of grease on the hub to help, but maybe there is not suppose to be any lube put there?

Also did it on the concrete floor sitting on a piece of hardwood which is not perfectly flat so it was bouncing a bit... maybe that is part of my problem?

Any suggestions for this farmboy mechanic?

Thanks




Bruce Hislop
ON Canada
77PB, 455 Dick P. rebuilt, DynamicEFI EBL EFI & ESC.
1 ton front end
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=29001
My Staff says I never listen to them, or something like that
Re: Need some tips for installing new rear bearing races [message #334906 is a reply to message #334904] Tue, 10 July 2018 21:54 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Carl S. is currently offline  Carl S.   United States
Messages: 4186
Registered: January 2009
Location: Tucson, AZ.
Karma: 13
Senior Member

I borrowed a set of bearing race drivers from my mechanic friend. I think something similar is available from the cheap tool store.

https://www.harborfreight.com/10-piece-bearing-race-and-seal-driver-set-63261.html


Carl Stouffer '75 ex Palm Beach Tucson, AZ. Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles, Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member
Re: Need some tips for installing new rear bearing races [message #334908 is a reply to message #334904] Tue, 10 July 2018 22:46 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Jerry Sitzlar is currently offline  Jerry Sitzlar   United States
Messages: 206
Registered: February 2013
Location: Lenoir City, TN
Karma: 4
Senior Member
I used the cheap set from Harbor Fright. They worked OK.

Jerry


Jerry Sitzlar..... 77 Eleganza II, Twin bed, dry bath...... Lenoir City, TN (near Knoxville)
Re: [GMCnet] Need some tips for installing new rear bearing races [message #334909 is a reply to message #334906] Tue, 10 July 2018 22:47 Go to previous messageGo to next message
USAussie is currently offline  USAussie   United States
Messages: 15912
Registered: July 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
Karma: 6
Senior Member
Carl,

Thanks a lot!

You just supplied a tool junkie with a hit! :-)

Regards,
Rob M.
The Pedantic Mechanic
Sydney, Australia
AUS '75 Avion - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
USA '75 Avion - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
USA '77 Kingsley - TZE 267V100808



-----Original Message-----
From: Gmclist [mailto:gmclist-bounces@list.gmcnet.org] On Behalf Of Carl Stouffer
Sent: Tuesday, July 10, 2018 9:55 PM
To: gmclist@list.gmcnet.org
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Need some tips for installing new rear bearing races

I borrowed a set of bearing race drivers from my mechanic friend. I think something similar is available from the cheap tool store.

https://www.harborfreight.com/10-piece-bearing-race-and-seal-driver-set-63261.html
--
Carl Stouffer


_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org



Regards, Rob M. (USAussie) The Pedantic Mechanic Sydney, Australia '75 Avion - AUS - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428 '75 Avion - USA - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
Re: [GMCnet] Need some tips for installing new rear bearing races [message #335010 is a reply to message #334909] Thu, 12 July 2018 16:35 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Wackster is currently offline  Wackster   United States
Messages: 49
Registered: November 2017
Location: Baltimore
Karma: 0
Member
I completed this job last November. In conjunction with bearings in the freezer, I set my hubs on top of the woodstove long enough to bring them up to about 300 degrees. I imagine putting them in a conventional oven would work just as well if your better half doesn't mind. One race bottomed out nicely on the second or third hammer strike. The second race didn't seat well and I ended up tapping it back out with a drift punch and discarding it due to visible stress fractures - created by me while trying to beat it in. The second attempt (with new race) went in nicely like the first hub. Even with the heated hubs and frozen races, I was a bit surprised at the force required to seat the race. These, or something like it are a must: https://www.harborfreight.com/10-piece-bearing-race-and-seal-driver-set-63261.html

BTW, I will seek out a shop press next time given the investment in time to pull the wheels, clean everything up, source and purchase new bearings, etc. (and considering what is riding on the outcome). Driving the races in with a hammer on my garage floor was the one step in the process that didn't feel quite right.


Jim Wack - 1976 23' Crestmont Baltimore, Maryland
Re: Need some tips for installing new rear bearing races [message #335016 is a reply to message #334904] Thu, 12 July 2018 20:00 Go to previous message
RF_Burns is currently offline  RF_Burns   Canada
Messages: 2277
Registered: June 2008
Location: S. Ontario, Canada
Karma: 3
Senior Member
I got the races in. Next time I think I'll take the hubs to someone with the proper tools. I had the races in the freezer and headed the hubs with a heat gun to about 65C.

I didn't give the oven method a second thought since I didn't want to end up living full time in the GMC.


Bruce Hislop
ON Canada
77PB, 455 Dick P. rebuilt, DynamicEFI EBL EFI & ESC.
1 ton front end
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=29001
My Staff says I never listen to them, or something like that
Previous Topic: 20 Year Anniversary
Next Topic: Club liability insurance
Goto Forum:
  


Current Time: Sat Nov 16 14:22:19 CST 2024

Total time taken to generate the page: 0.01083 seconds