pressing in the front wheel bearings, what do I use, what do I grease? Options

[914 RZ-1]

1. I need to press in the front wheel bearings. Can I just use a big socket and tap/hit them in? Is there a better way? I do not have a press.

2. What do I grease? I'm assuming a pack it in the bearings, but do I put grease anywhere else? Do I pack these before or after I press them in?





Thanks!
-Jeff
---------

[technicalninja]

I'd scotch brite the new bearing bores and install with an old school wheel bearing race installation tool like this

https://www.harborfreight.com/bearing-race-...iece-63261.html

That ones a bit expensive. Check amazon.

I have used the old bearing race many times in the past. Sometimes it's tricky to get it back out.

A socket will work as well but it needs to fit the bore closely as the edges of most sockets are rounded and you can chip a race if not careful.

The bearings need to be packed either by hand or with a tool.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BhL1uAp_WCw

https://www.amazon.com/Lisle-34550-Handy-Pa...g/dp/B0002NYDYO.

I will half fill the interior between the two bearings. This grease may never get used but it is there for a possible overheat. Leave plenty of space for expansion as I've seen overpacked hubs pop the inner wheel seal out before.

[iankarr]

Hope this helps...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCglV8Ttp_s

And you can definitely use the Harbor Freight bearing press kit. I use that now instead of the old race...

[scott_in_nh]

The tool is obviously the best way, but if you use an old race make a cut through it with a cut off wheel.
This allows the old race to be easily removed...

[technicalninja]

The tool is obviously the best way, but if you use an old race make a cut through it with a cut off wheel.
This allows the old race to be easily removed...

That is an excellent tip!

I never did that and I should have...

[BK911]

Bearing races can be "pressed" in using a nut and bolt with appropriately sized washers.

[mgphoto]

You will need to press the grease into the bearing, there is a tool but it’s easy to pack it by hand. I use latex gloves, put a glob of grease in the palm of your hand, push the bearing into your palm, get another glob of grease with your fingers and rotate the bearing through your palm pushing the grease between the rollers and the cage, saturating the bearing is extremely important.
After pressing in the races, fill the inner section of the hub, between the races with some grease, I use a moly lube called BR2, but most axle grease will work fine.

[930cabman]

You will need to press the grease into the bearing, there is a tool but it’s easy to pack it by hand. I use latex gloves, put a glob of grease in the palm of your hand, push the bearing into your palm, get another glob of grease with your fingers and rotate the bearing through your palm pushing the grease between the rollers and the cage, saturating the bearing is extremely important.
After pressing in the races, fill the inner section of the hub, between the races with some grease, I use a moly lube called BR2, but most axle grease will work fine.

Exactly, make sure to clean the new bearing prior to greasing.

[mgphoto]

You will need to press the grease into the bearing, there is a tool but it’s easy to pack it by hand. I use latex gloves, put a glob of grease in the palm of your hand, push the bearing into your palm, get another glob of grease with your fingers and rotate the bearing through your palm pushing the grease between the rollers and the cage, saturating the bearing is extremely important.
After pressing in the races, fill the inner section of the hub, between the races with some grease, I use a moly lube called BR2, but most axle grease will work fine.

Exactly, make sure to clean the new bearing prior to greasing.

DO NOT USE COMPRESSED AIR DURING CLEANING PROCESS.

[infraredcalvin]

Nobody freezes these anymore? Prep the bearing and put it in the freezer for a few days, take it out and quickly insert it into the rotor/hub. Tap in with socket or old race, etc. it will go in pretty easily.

Warm up the rotor hub a bit to make it easer but once the cold bearing hits the warm rotor it’ll start expanding quickly.

[914 RZ-1]

You will need to press the grease into the bearing, there is a tool but it’s easy to pack it by hand. I use latex gloves, put a glob of grease in the palm of your hand, push the bearing into your palm, get another glob of grease with your fingers and rotate the bearing through your palm pushing the grease between the rollers and the cage, saturating the bearing is extremely important.
After pressing in the races, fill the inner section of the hub, between the races with some grease, I use a moly lube called BR2, but most axle grease will work fine.

Thanks! I think I get what to do. One questions/clarification: Why am I filling in between the hubs? There's nothing there, is there? Nothing rolls on the axle. Just curious?

[Van B]

Nobody freezes these anymore? Prep the bearing and put it in the freezer for a few days, take it out and quickly insert it into the rotor/hub. Tap in with socket or old race, etc. it will go in pretty easily.

Warm up the rotor hub a bit to make it easer but once the cold bearing hits the warm rotor it’ll start expanding quickly.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) I have a 20 ton shop press but I still prefer deep freeze overnight for the race and a little torch action or oven on the housing. Nothing more satisfying than that sound of a race dropping home with zero banging.

[914 RZ-1]

Hope this helps...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCglV8Ttp_s

And you can definitely use the Harbor Freight bearing press kit. I use that now instead of the old race...

It did, thanks! I've done this once, a long time ago and need a refresher that is specific to a 914.

[930cabman]

Nobody freezes these anymore? Prep the bearing and put it in the freezer for a few days, take it out and quickly insert it into the rotor/hub. Tap in with socket or old race, etc. it will go in pretty easily.

Warm up the rotor hub a bit to make it easer but once the cold bearing hits the warm rotor it’ll start expanding quickly.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) I have a 20 ton shop press but I still prefer deep freeze overnight for the race and a little torch action or oven on the housing. Nothing more satisfying than that sound of a race dropping home with zero banging.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) i do not have a shop press, but having expansion and contraction do the work is the cats meow

[914 RZ-1]

I removed the old ones from the late rotor, cut them and used them to press the new races in place (like in the video). I used a big impact socket and a piece of steel rod as well. The cut allowed me to squeeze it with pliers or use a screwdriver to get it out after it seated the new race.

I didn't want to buy a $40 tool set I'd use infrequently.

I have a lathe; maybe I'll make a tool for next time. I didn't want to spend the time this time since I need to get this done so the wife can have the garage back.

Thanks everyone! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[mgphoto]

You will need to press the grease into the bearing, there is a tool but it’s easy to pack it by hand. I use latex gloves, put a glob of grease in the palm of your hand, push the bearing into your palm, get another glob of grease with your fingers and rotate the bearing through your palm pushing the grease between the rollers and the cage, saturating the bearing is extremely important.
After pressing in the races, fill the inner section of the hub, between the races with some grease, I use a moly lube called BR2, but most axle grease will work fine.

Thanks! I think I get what to do. One questions/clarification: Why am I filling in between the hubs? There's nothing there, is there? Nothing rolls on the axle. Just curious?

The heat in the hub will flow the grease from the center to the bearings, use just enough grease, use the rubber seals under the dust cap to contain the mess.

[76-914]

I removed the old ones from the late rotor, cut them and used them to press the new races in place (like in the video). I used a big impact socket and a piece of steel rod as well. The cut allowed me to squeeze it with pliers or use a screwdriver to get it out after it seated the new race.

I didn't want to buy a $40 tool set I'd use infrequently.

I have a lathe; maybe I'll make a tool for next time. I didn't want to spend the time this time since I need to get this done so the wife can have the garage back.

Thanks everyone! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

That is what I did last week. Welded the 2 old races together then turned one of them down ~.010".