An old trick (bearing install)
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From: Forked River NJ
An old trick (bearing install)
I am putting new gears in my Vette. I took a new bearing and honed out the pinion bearing so it is a slip fit while setting up the pinion depth. This keeps you from pressing the bearing on and off. Just enough hone to make it a slip but tight fit. Once I had it all set I put on a new bearing which is a press fit. I put the bearing in the oven at about 300 degrees for 20 minutes and the bearing drops right on the pinion shaft. When everything cools down it is solid on the shaft. Makes the install of a press fit bearing much easier. Just a quick tip.
Tech Contributor
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From: Connecticut, USA
Good tip Gordon. I used to use a bearing heater cone when rebuilding spindles out of Bridgeport Mills. The same thing, heat up the new bearings drop on. I also used a press many times. I must have rebuilt 100's of spindles that way. 
Gary
Gary
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From: Lafayette Louisiana
Originally Posted by gtr1999
Good tip Gordon. I used to use a bearing heater cone when rebuilding spindles out of Bridgeport Mills. The same thing, heat up the new bearings drop on. I also used a press many times. I must have rebuilt 100's of spindles that way.
Gary
Gary
Last edited by kevinator80; Feb 22, 2005 at 04:59 PM.
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From: Foxfield CO 1970 Convertible
If you don't want to wait overnight for something in the freezer, I saw in one of the mags that a fire extinguisher was used to freeze parts during assembly. It has to be one of those CO2 ones (not the kind that spray powder! 
)
)
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From: Forked River NJ
Originally Posted by Z-man
If you don't want to wait overnight for something in the freezer, I saw in one of the mags that a fire extinguisher was used to freeze parts during assembly. It has to be one of those CO2 ones (not the kind that spray powder! )
)
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Thread Starter
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From: Forked River NJ
Originally Posted by turtlevette
why not just put the slip fit bearing back on and forget about freezing your fingers off?
Thread Starter
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From: Forked River NJ
Not all of us have a shop that is full of tools. I do have a bearing plate and took it to one of my customers and used his press to get it off. I could not justify (or have room for) a press for this one job. I agree that is the best way to do it. Sometimes you just have to make do with what you have. Norval I wish I lived closer to you. I'd really like to see your shop!
Melting Slicks
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St. Jude Donor '03,'11
Originally Posted by Gordonm
You don't want the pinion bearing to slip or rotate on the pinion shaft. It will score up the pinion shaft and eventually wear it down. .
I don't know if i buy that. I might try slip fitting mine. I don't believe in press fitting anything.
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From: Forked River NJ
You might get away with it for a while but every rear I have seen is a press fit on the pinion. GM made it a press fit for a reason. I'm no engineer by any means but I'm sure there is a good reason for it. Maybe Gary can enlighten us on this.
