Installing Front Wheel Bearings

[Steven D. Reich]

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<p class="MsoNormal">Hi-<o></o>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o></o>
<p class="MsoNormal">The archives have plenty of information on removing the
front bearing races, but I couldn’t find much on reinstalling them.
In the absence of special Amphicar tools, how do you get the races to seat
properly. I assume they are supposed to fit against shelf in the
hub. Between corrosion and nicks and dents on the axle from removing the inner
bearing by cutting and chiseling, the new inner bearing doesn’t fit.
I assume I’ll have to grind and/or polish the axle until the bearing
fits. How do you know how far it needs to go on the axle?<o></o>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o></o>
<p class="MsoNormal">Any help will be appreciated.<o></o>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o></o>
<p class="MsoNormal">Thanks.<o></o>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o></o>
<p class="MsoNormal">-Steve <o></o>
<p class="MsoNormal">Del Mar, CA<o></o>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o></o>
<p class="MsoNormal">‘64 Red (AMPHICR)<o></o>
<p class="MsoNormal">’64 Red (I SWIM 2)<o></o>

 

[Ken Chambers]

The front inner bearing can be difficult to remove without the right
tool. Grinding and chiseling has the potential to damage some very
expensive parts. The bearing is an interference fit on the axle so
must be pulled off and pressed on.

I machined the ends of a 3-jaw puller to accomplish the task with
ease. The puller is first used to tear off the roller cage, then to
grab the inner race. It even sneaks by the grease seal without
damaging it, though it is certainly wise to replace the seal. I've
used this puller several times now and makes changing that bearing a
breeze.

Installing the bearing is easy with the help of a properly sized tube
that fits over the axle and contacts the inner race only, never the
roller cage. Be sure to lubricate the axle shaft and tap until the
bearing seats fully onto the axle.

Here are two photos of my puller in action. Pretty sure those who
get the Daily Digest emails can't receive attachments. Email me
privately and I'll send them to you. Also, I did buy some extra
pullers with the intent to modify them for others. If anyone's
interested, contact me. I also have grease seal installer tools.

Ken Chambers, CA
'64 Red

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Attachment: (image/jpeg) CIMG5227.jpg [not stored]</td></tr>

Pulling off the roller cage. (Yes, this seal was found to be
installed backwards)

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Attachment: (image/jpeg) CIMG5225.jpg [not stored]</td></tr>

Puller in position on the inner bearing race.


On Nov 6, 2007, at 6:09 PM, Steven D. Reich wrote:

>
> Hi-
>
>
>
> The archives have plenty of information on removing the front
> bearing races, but I couldn?t find much on reinstalling them. In
> the absence of special Amphicar tools, how do you get the races to
> seat properly. I assume they are supposed to fit against shelf in
> the hub. Between corrosion and nicks and dents on the axle from
> removing the inner bearing by cutting and chiseling, the new inner
> bearing doesn?t fit. I assume I?ll have to grind and/or polish the
> axle until the bearing fits. How do you know how far it needs to
> go on the axle?
>
>

 

[Mike Israel]

<table><div style="font-family:times new roman, new york, times, serif;font-size:12pt">

Steve,





Usually you can find a steel socket, tubing, etc. that is same diameteras the race (slightly smaller) so that you can hammer them in. It is a fun way to abuse perfectly good sockets. Harbor Freight sells various kits with different sized rivers. I have also used the old race (if you did not actually cut it) placed over the new one to hammer against. With the last method the old race can sometimes get stuck but is usually extracted easily with the old vice grips. A dremel tool works wonders if you need to grind away any metal burrs from chiseling.





Mike
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[lah20car@aol.com]

Re: Re: Installing Front Wheel Bearings

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In a message dated 11/7/2007 12:34:52 AM Central Standard Time, kchambers@surfnetc.com writes:
<blockquote style="PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: blue 2px solid"><font style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" face="Georgia" color="#000000" size="2">I machined the ends of a 3-jaw puller to accomplish the task</font></blockquote>

Good idea, ---------thanks

I have been needing an excuse to go to Harbor Freight for a tool shopping fix

Pictures came out on my email even though its a daily delivery</font>


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[Terry Cassem]

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<font face="Arial" size="2">Steve,</font>
<font face="Arial" size="2"></font>
<font face="Arial" size="2">When I did mine I was able to use PVC pipe toinstall the bearings.If you don't have any, go to Lowes or Home Depot and size it up in the plumbing section. Cheap,solid and firm and didn't damage the race.</font>
<font face="Arial" size="2"></font>
<font face="Arial" size="2">Good Luck!</font>
<font face="Arial" size="2"></font>
<font face="Arial" size="2">Capn Terry</font>
<font face="Arial" size="2"></font>
<font face="Arial" size="2"></font>
<font face="Arial" size="2"></font>
<font face="Arial" size="2"></font>
<blockquote style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">
<div style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message -----
<div style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: black">From: Mike Israel
<div style="FONT: 10pt arial">To: amphicar-lovers@yahoogroups.com
<div style="FONT: 10pt arial">Sent: Tuesday, November 06, 2007 10:53 PM
<div style="FONT: 10pt arial">Subject: Re: [amphicar-lovers] Installing Front Wheel Bearings


<div id="ygrp-text">



<div style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman, new york, times, serif">


Steve,





Usually you can find a steel socket, tubing, etc. that is same diameteras the race (slightly smaller) so that you can hammer them in. It is a fun way to abuse perfectly good sockets. Harbor Freight sells various kits with different sized rivers. I have also used the old race (if you did not actually cut it) placed over the new one to hammer against. With the last method the old race can sometimes get stuck but is usually extracted easily with the old vice grips. A dremel tool works wonders if you need to grind away any metal burrs from chiseling.





Mike
<div style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman, new york, times, serif">


</blockquote>

 

[wick68355@aol.com]

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well I used a piece of exhaust pipe scrap that fit over the spindle and was the same size as the inner race.
Tim Wick</font>


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