musclemustang94

I know that the one bearing is pressed on. Now say to install a new bearing on a new pinion instead of pressing it on, could you maybe freeze the pinion and heat up the bearing in an oven? I've heard of this trick b4 but wasnt' sure if it would work. Anyone tried this?

mjr46

yes you can do that I have a press so I just pull them on and off.. but that methood will work and you'll need a 3 finfer puller to remove pinion flange and a new crush collar and a inch lbs turning torque wrench to set preload on bearing of 16-29 inch lbs and not break away that's turning torque measured

musclemustang94

lol by 3 finger puller do you mean a vice and an air hammer?

How hot should i get the bearing? Like 250-300?

musclemustang94

and what if I do it by feel?

mjr46

350 to 400 maybe.. I've seen people use a torch but with freezing it heating it ..you'll be okay..as for the puller you can do whatever works for you

musclemustang94

cool thanx for the info. this is my first install on my own, im pretty confident i can handle it, i just haven't ever done one on my own b4. lol i know how to do this, i just haven't done it b4.

mjr46

setting the pinion preload ..some do it by feel but if it's your first you really need to use the proper tool to measure rotational torque to understand what it needs to feel like

thunderjet429

i put the pinion in the freezer overnight and use one of those electric skillets to heat the bearing to about 350... i also keep a piece of pipe near incase the bearing needs a tap going on, works great.. do not try to preload by feel, get a inch pound torque wrench and do it the right way the first time... you will be glad u did

9 Sec 93 LX

I worked in an electric motor repair shop for 7 years. Whenever we had a motor too large to fit in our press, we would put the bearings in a 400* oven for 1/2 hour or so.
You shouldn't need to freeze the pinion itself for this to work.
We never froze anything and it always worked like a charm.
BTW to remove old bearing. Put bearing in a large vise and crush the cage until it cracks or you distort it enough that the rollers fall out.
Then use a grinder with a metal cutting wheel and cut a slot or 2 almost all the way through on opposite sidesof the inner race(carefully so you don't ruin the pinion gear) Then hit the slot with a cold chisel, race should crack,slides right off.
We used this technique on electric motors that cost hundreds of times what a pinion costs with great success.
PS Definitely use the torque wrench, thats why they sell those things!

musclemustang94

Thanx! Great info guys!