Topic: Installing bearings...

[turkey2143]

How do you folks install wheel bearings in hubs? I'm using a piece of wood for the side that isn't recessed, but I'm a little scared I'm going to screw something up, and I'm planning on using a square piece of wood cut to the diameter of the recessed side (talking about the rear).

I also don't understand how the non-recessed side aligns itself, there doesn't seem to be any sort of cut out for the bearing to fit into where if I were to keep hammering at it it looks like it would just go through and get stuck on the inside of the hub.

Help! I'm this close |---| to taking it to my mechanic.

[BobbyR]

I would suggest you do a search on this site. There are several threads with pictures on how to do this.

[Steve F]

You *DO* have the inner bearing spacer that goes inside the hub, don't you?  It looks like a tube with sheetmetal spacers to keep it centered in the hub with the axle removed.
Steve F

[OldSchool_IsCool]

I use a chunk of threaded rod to pull the bearings into position.  Do the bearing with the retainer ring first, then position the spacer tube before you pull in the "floating" bearing. 

NOTE: don't pull your bearings in by the CENTER ring!  Use an old bearing as a "washer".  This will ensure that the pulling force is applied to the OUTER ring of the new bearing.

If you are dealing with a 750 rear hub, you would have 3 bearings.  Someone else would need to advise you about that as I have a 550.

[turkey2143]

I'm always flustered when I post for help, so I neglect to add crucial details...

It's a 550 and I do have that spacer, but the tangs are bent on the side that has them flared in; not the ones that stick out farther though.

Do they slide in fairly easy with the threaded rod method?

[OldSchool_IsCool]

Do they slide in fairly easy with the threaded rod method?

Yep.  If they give you any trouble, pop the bearings into the freezer for a few hours.

[turkey2143]

Does anyone know if having those tangs bent is a big problem?

[OldSchool_IsCool]

The spacer should have a 90-degree bend in them.  Part #9 below shows the normal bend (click on the pic to enlarge).

[turkey2143]

Yeah I compared it to that exploded picture, mine is like someone squeezed in the tangs with some pliers so they're kind of mushed down now

[OldSchool_IsCool]

You'll wana bend them back.  The tabs act as "feet" to hold the spacer (some what) centered against the back of the bearing, at least long enough until the axle is inserted through it.

[Alan F.]

Do they slide in fairly easy with the threaded rod method?

Bearings should always be an interference fit, make sure the bearing bores are clean and burr free, but don't remove any material to make the bores larger.

Certainly put the bearings in the freezer for a while before installing them, as well as warming the hub with a torch (hot to the touch but not too hot to handle bare handed) And be carefulnot to drive (or pull with threaded rod) against the inner race of the bearing, that would cause damage.  Short lengths of PVC pipe sized right to drive the outer race, whacked with a length of 2x4 works well too.

Best of luck, you can definitely do it yourself.  Knowledge is power.

[Johnie]

Here is a real pic of those spacer tangs...just bend them back. Whenever I put the bearings back in I use the old bearings to tap them in.

[DaytonGuy]

1.  Freeze bearings
2.  Warm up hub
3.  Use old bearings on top of new ones to "tap" the new ones in
4.  A regular old hammer works fine for tapping them in.
5.  Start with the side that has the bearing stop
6.  Put spacer in hub
7.  Tap floating bearing in until it sits agains spacer

note:  you'll probably need to use a screw driver to reposition the spacer a bit after the bearings are installed as it will probably be a little crooked.  At lease I use a screw driver to position it instead fo using the axel.   

[BobbyR]

You have all the info you need to do the job. The heating the hub and freezing the bearings really makes a difference. When you are finished make sure to either stake the bearing retainer, or use some Loctite on it. I did it this summer not a difficult job as you can see.