I'm posting this here since there is a large contingency of people from the DC area...

I'm going to be doing my front brake overhaul tomorrow, and also need to replace my front bearings. I already have all the parts, but need to find a place to press the bearings in the hub. Does anyone know of a place that will do this? I've called the typical places (Sears, NTB, et cetera) since it's a pretty foolproof process, but no one will do it unless I buy their parts and have them do all the work. Independent shops are closed, as is the Honda dealer.

Does anyone have any recommendations for me? Should I just try going to Sears and asking a mechanic and offer to pay him under the table?

 

When we did Dave's bearings, I brought the knuckles to a shop local to my place of employment for him, along with the new bearings. I had them take care of it, and I believed they charged $60. Good as new. I think this place gets tired of me bringing in my strange requests as I barely ever just leave them the entire car. It's always just certain parts.

 

Now for the million dollar question, are they open tomorrow?

 

I would highly doubt it. Are you doing the work at Dave's?

 

Yeah, I'll be there. I think I might try Pepboys or Sears, and pay them under the table. $60 though? That seems a bit pricey considering the process doesn't take too long does it?

 

I thought it was reasonable... Finding a place that's willing to work with your parts is hard to come by, and I also never mind paying for convenience (If it's worth it.) I just drop stuff off in the morning, and pick it up after work. Hopefully there'll be a friendly local gas station open tomorrow for you in the area.

 

Thanks for the info Mike.

 

better yet.... bang apart the old hub/bearings. then stick the spindle? assembly in an oven at 200deg for a half hour. stick the bearing in the freezer for a couple hours. then, slide the bearing into the spindle. put the retaining ring on immediately. let the two sit until it all gets to room temp.

put a little grease on the hub and bearing inner race. then, support the inner race of the bearing with a socket or other round piece. slide the hub/spindle into a vise, and slowly press the hub into the bearing race, making sure the hub is pressed in squarely, and that you NEVER press on the spindle/outer bearing race.

 

You think the oven would be helpful in getting the inner race off the "spindle?" In my experience, it can't be done without the right tools, but if heat can do it, that's really fantastic to know.

 

i know for a fact several people have used this heat/freeze method. i personally didn't know about it until after i had mine unsuccessfully pressed in twice and wasted $120+ on bearings. eventually, i had them pressed in OK, but i would prefer this heat method as there is less stress put on the new bearings.

 

i think you're referring to the old bearing off the hub right? (not spindle). for that, i'm not sure how to do it. i'll try and find the old thread on how it was described to me.

i don't think "spindle" is the right term. i just counldn't think up the correct word for it.

3 pieces: bearing, hub and spindle


[Modified by DOHC-DX, 6:55 PM 7/3/2002]

 

OK, so if I freeze the new bearings, and then heat up the hub, do you think I could lightly tap the bearing into the hub with a mallet (with a piece of wood over the bearing to protect it)? Also, what about getting the old bearing out?

I'm going to follow up with this in the Tech forum now since it seems possible to do without a hydraulic press.

 

I paid $80 to have mine done. A local dealer told me it would take his tech 2 hours to get it done. I told him he needed a new tech. It shouldn't take more than a hour to get both done including set up & clean up. As mentioned above, the bearings are damn expensive. Everyone I know uses a press. Not saying that the heat/freeze method won't work. I just haven't heard of it.

 

Gawd, I'm so glad I have an on the car bearing press..... From my old Acura Tech days....

Dan

 

Can you help me out? ****, I live in Arlington, right down the street from Fairfax.

 

I know who to look up then. "BYE MIKE!!!!!!!"

 

no, you can't. the bearings have to be put in the spindle first. then, you put on the lock ring into the spindle to hold the bearing. then, you press the hub into the bearing. all in that order. you can't press the hub into the bearing first as you wouldn't be able to get the lock ring into the spindle after that.

besides, cooling the bearing shrinks it, and heating the hub expands... it would be the opposite of what you'd want to do.