Bearings and Hubs, Freezing Hubs Options

[sanman]

Has any one put their hubs in the freexer? I Know ti workes for bearings but shouldnt it shrink the hub too to make them slide into the bearing with less force? Or is this one of those not worth the effort/ Big greasy Hubs in the freeze type of thing (IMG:style_emoticons/default/barf.gif)

[watsonrx13]

Has any one put their hubs in the freexer? I Know ti workes for bearings but shouldnt it shrink the hub too to make them slide into the bearing with less force? Or is this one of those not worth the effort/ Big greasy Hubs in the freeze type of thing (IMG:style_emoticons/default/barf.gif)

I only froze the bearings, not the hub...

Here's a link to my website showing how and what tools I used, hope it helps....

-- Rob

[sanman]

seems like freezing them would make it easier

[jsteele22]

Yeah, I froze the bearings AND the hubs. Freezing makes them a tiny bit smaller. First you press the (smaller) bearings into the trailing arm. Then, as you drink your beer, the bearings will come up to garage temperature, and expand to normal size. Then you take the hubs out of the freezer, and press them in. I've only done the job once, so I can't say if it really helps any, but it surely doesn't hurt. The main thing is to plan ahead and make sure you have the "tools" you need - stuff like threaded rod, pieces of pipe the right diameter (or large sockets), etc. You want to press on the correct race of the bearing in a way that doesn't strain the bearings at all. No hammering ! If you've made it this far, all the unpleasantness should be over...

[Leo Imperial]

I did. It worked and my hands got really cold.

It won't get you all the way in. for me it was a good start on getting the hub started and straight before driving it home.

[Eric_Shea]

Link to a Classics Thread

I've tried it both ways now and found no difference. The main thing as suggested here is to have the right tool to pull them in with. My contraption is shown in that link.

[sanman]

Thanks

[Mueller]

Yeah, I froze the bearings AND the hubs. Freezing makes them a tiny bit smaller. First you press the (smaller) bearings into the trailing arm. Then, as you drink your beer, the bearings will come up to garage temperature, and expand to normal size. Then you take the hubs out of the freezer, and press them in. I've only done the job once, so I can't say if it really helps any, but it surely doesn't hurt. The main thing is to plan ahead and make sure you have the "tools" you need - stuff like threaded rod, pieces of pipe the right diameter (or large sockets), etc. You want to press on the correct race of the bearing in a way that doesn't strain the bearings at all. No hammering ! If you've made it this far, all the unpleasantness should be over...

huh??? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/screwy.gif)

you are supposed to freeze the race and heat the hub.....by freezing both, you are gaining NOTHING at all .

cold=smaller OD
heat=larger ID

[Leo Imperial]

Yeah, I froze the bearings AND the hubs. Freezing makes them a tiny bit smaller. First you press the (smaller) bearings into the trailing arm. Then, as you drink your beer, the bearings will come up to garage temperature, and expand to normal size. Then you take the hubs out of the freezer, and press them in. I've only done the job once, so I can't say if it really helps any, but it surely doesn't hurt. The main thing is to plan ahead and make sure you have the "tools" you need - stuff like threaded rod, pieces of pipe the right diameter (or large sockets), etc. You want to press on the correct race of the bearing in a way that doesn't strain the bearings at all. No hammering ! If you've made it this far, all the unpleasantness should be over...

huh??? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/screwy.gif)

you are supposed to freeze the race and heat the hub.....by freezing both, you are gaining NOTHING at all .

cold=smaller OD
heat=larger ID

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/wacko.gif)

Wait a second Mike. Doesn't the hub go inside the race?

[Mueller]

no, the race goes inside the hub (cast iron for stock /4 and aluminum for 911 front suspension)...the caged roller bearings run inside the race

[Leo Imperial]

I need a picture.

[Mueller]

I need a picture.

Red arrow = hub, this part is to be heated to expand the hole

blue arrows = bearing race, it is frozen to be made "smaller"

Like Eric mentioned, lot's of times not needed, but it does not hurt to do so.....

[

[Eric_Shea]

I assumed he was talking about the rears when he mentioned hubs... but yeah, what Mike said. The front rotor is a hub as well. I did my 911 front hubs that way and they indeed dropped right in. I put the hubs in the oven at 375 and the bearings in the freezer.

[Leo Imperial]

I was sure he was talking about rears.

My bad. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)

Thanks for the digram.

[Brian Mifsud]

I've never frozen races.. never had a problem installing nor removing...BUT..
make sure the hubs (and this carries thru to ANY bearing/race installation) are PERFECTLY free of any BURRS or other defects that detract from a perfect circle. Here is what that File is good for, or small sharpening stone.

It helps an awefull lot if you have a brass or bronze (or aluminum) "drift" which is slightly smaller than the OD of your bearing race. If you are not gifted with owning a hydrualic press, using this drift and light application of a hammer will to the job very adequately.

Make sure things are gorgeously clean (best do it on a heavy table or workbench..not on the floor) and be PATIENT. If the race gets even slightly cockeyed...STOP, and use that bearing puller and backout. Figure out WHY it got cockeyed, and fix as needed (BURR? DIRT?, OUT OF ROUND HUB??)

[Mueller]

I was sure he was talking about rears.

My bad. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)

Thanks for the digram.

funny, I was not thinking about the rear at all...I just thought he had the nomenclature all goofed up (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) ....maybe I'm the one that goofed up...

same concept applies for the rear...you'd want to heat the trailing arm and freeze the bearing...then once bearing is in, freeze the flange and carefully heat the bearing (too much heat and you can damage the plastic ball cage, the grease and the seal)

[Leo Imperial]

That is what I did.
Minus heating the bearing. I would have set it on fire with my luck.

[jsteele22]

Oops ! I was talking about the rear (Haven't messed w/ the fronts yet.) And I was certain the original query was about the rears. But, having re-read it, I noticed it doesn't say. But the general rule is to stick a cold shrunken thing inside a hot swollen thing (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sheeplove.gif) and you can't go wrong.....