Topic: Cheap Trick - Pinion Bearing

[CTENG in KS]

DISCLAIMER:  Anyone who wishes to properly install a pinion bearing will use a press or bring it to someone with a press and ignore anything I try to pass off as tech...it is complete bootyfab. 

Now that that is out of the way, I have to say that pinion bearings are the bane of 3rd member setup.  Now if you are like me you hate to stop what you are doing to bring things to a shop to be pressed on, etc.  I am a "true" do-it-yourselfer.  So, if you want to know an easy way to put a pinion bearing on, read here.

If you are ready to install your pinion bearing then you most likely have your front axle disassembled.  Look around you and locate on of your spindles.  Now put the spindle in front of you with the flange to the ground.  Good, now grab your pinion and slide the shims and bearing down the pinion shaft. (get your mind out of the gutter!)  Now, with the pinion teethe facing you, slide the shaft down the top of the spindle.  You will notice that the top of the spindle shaft rests perfectly on the meat of your pinion bearing.  Add a block of wood or some other such "protection" to the top of the pinion and use your "pursuader" to drive the bearing onto the pinion shaft.  Walla!

-SECOND DISCLAIMER: after performing this operation I checked my spindle to find that the spindle nuts still thread perfectly.  Results may vary...using a spare spindle may be a safer option.

Now back to your regularly sheduled program.   

[Willy Mammoth]

OK good, Now how do you get them back off when you find out the shims you chose were wrong? 


This is my method.

Get an identical set of pinion bearings (same brand) and use a scroll sander to sand the inside till they slip firmly on the pinion.

Now setup the pattern till you get it right.

Then install the new bearings with a press or set the pinion on a block of wood and use a pipe of the proper size to drive the bearing home. 

Don't use the bearings you opened up for running the gears as they may spin on the shaft.

Disclaimer: I don't claim to know everything, but I try. 

[IronClad]

nothin booty about that.. used to do that all the time.  only we would heat the bearings up with a torch or  a toaster oven or whatever till you could slide the bearing on all the way.. giver a little tap and let it cool.  no pounding..  but we had a puller to get the suckers off though

[CTENG in KS [OP]]

OK good, Now how do you get them back off when you find out the shims you chose were wrong? 


This is my method.

Get an identical set of pinion bearings (same brand) and use a scroll sander to sand the inside till they slip firmly on the pinion.

Now setup the pattern till you get it right.

Then install the new bearings with a press or set the pinion on a block of wood and use a pipe of the proper size to drive the bearing home. 

Don't use the bearings you opened up for running the gears as they may spin on the shaft.

Disclaimer: I don't claim to know everything, but I try. 

You can use modeling clay and a micrometer.   

[79coyotefrg]

You can use modeling clay and a micrometer.

     

[CTENG in KS [OP]]

Cmon, use your imagination!

[superyota]

i just set up my front end and used a piece of pipe, a hydrolic jack, and the rear bumper of an rv.  it started picking the back end up and thats when i grabed the torch and helped it along.  it went on fine, but i need more shims and i need to figure out a way of getting it off now.  wish i would have read this before i started.  got lots of old bearings laying around from old pinions.  if anyone knows a way, let me know.

[CTENG in KS [OP]]

Get a good bearing puller, not the claw kind, the one that is a two peice wedge...good luck.