installing front wheel bearing race

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lispeej

lispeej

10 Year 15 Year
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Minnesota
so I did my front wheel bearings this past weekend, and I used the old bearings to push the new races in. should i be worried if i the old bearings left marks on the new races? the races feels smooth.
I haven't button everything up yet, so it would not be too late if decide to re-replace with new races.
 
Do you mean you used the old race to press in the new race? That's good... However, using an old bearing to press in the race could easily damage the new race as its putting pressure on the surface the bearing rides. I wouldn't do it because if you damage the surface it will quickly destroy the new bearing.

If you decide to replace the races again, put them in the freezer for a few hours, then (while cold) quickly press or evenly tap them into the hub using the old race. They'll almost fall into place using this method.
 
Yes, I meant that I used the old bearings to press the new races in. However, I will probably end up just buttoning her up and call it a day. After thinking about it, I think it should be fine. There were no visible damage done to the races. Just a few marks where the old bearings made contact with the new race.

I was just curious if anyone had done this in the past and what their out come was.
That's all.
 
What type of force did you apply to the bearing to seat the new races? Did you hammer or use a press? The marks you left on the bearing surface are called Brinell marks or you "Brinelled the races". Brinell is a hardness scale similar to Rockwell. What has potentially happened is where the contact points of the bearing and the race the hardness of the metal in that small area has dramatically increased and could cause accelerated or uneven wear. It all depends on the force used. If you were able to wipe the marks away then you didn’t cause all that much damage. If in a good light you can see marks or imperfections then I would go ahead and get new races as the prices for new races is not worth the risk.

The technique you want to use is take the old race, grind the OD down or make a single cut through it so the outer diameter will flex and will not get stuck. You stack the old race on top of the new making contact on the edges not on the surface where the bearings contact. Otherwise for $10 to $15 you can but a tool that has several sized disks and makes the process easy.
 
Got this kit from Harbor Freight for about $30, used a few of the sizes for the front axle service. Cleaned out any gunk or corrosion from where the old races sat and tapped in the new races using these. Helped with installing the axle seals also.

http://www.harborfreight.com/10-piece-bearing-race-and-seal-driver-set-95853.html
Bearing Race Seal Driver set.gif
 
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Thanks for the info. I have already done the knuckles on my 60 and will be doing the 80 soon enough. This should help a lot. Wont be the last time i am in there.
 
Kernal said:
Got this kit from Harbor Freight for about $30, used a few of the sizes for the front axle service. Cleaned out any gunk or corrosion from where the old races sat and tapped in the new races using these. Helped with installing the axle seals also.

10 Piece Bearing Race and Seal Driver Set
Click to expand...

I got the same kit and it worked great for my FA rebuild. Also used it when I pressed out the stock bushings on the front control arms when doing my caster correction bushings.
 
Take the old race, cut a slot in in with a grinder and use it as a driver for the new race. Zero cost and a perfect fit.

Dynosoar:zilla:
 
Maybe it's just me, but I look forward to buying new tools. I want a set of bearing race tools!

Definitely try the freezer trick. You can also increase the temp on the hub to get it to fit more easily. Just don't get it too hot!
 
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