This is probably the best forum to ask this question in. What size press (in tons) would I need to press in/out wheel bearings? This is something I'd only be doing once or twice a year. But if it's 12 tons or under, it's pretty cheap from Harbor Freight and worth getting IMO. And I could replace some bushings etc to make it worth it.

They want $270 to replace my wheel bearing. I just got a knuckle for $65 from the junkyard for now.

 

Is it a Civic? The place up the road charges $75 labor for wheel bearings if I bring the part.

 

This is how I did mine...

 

any press should work just fine....another option is to just take the spindle to the shop...ill usually just charge an hour to press it out and back in....but a press is handy to have around

 

Alright it's story time.

Well before I gave in and got a junkyard knuckle, I pulled off my knuckle, bought a new bearing, and took it to Sears (the only place open on Saturday here). I asked them if they have a shop press and they said yes and they quoted me $30. I walked around the store for about 20 minutes and came back figuring they should be done by then. I was horrified to see them struggling to get the bearing in by whaling on it with a bfh!!! This ****s up the bearings!! But the hub felt solid so I took it home and slapped it together. Sure enough, about 100 ft down the street it started screeching and grinding in turns. Took out my abs sensor. Son of a bitch.

Why tell the customer you have a press when clearly you don't? $80 flushed down the toilet.

This is why I never take my car to get it fixed. I spend their labor quote on specialized tools and fix it myself. I wouldn't mind spending the money if I could trust the result.

So a 12 ton Harbor Freight press is good enough to press out bearings? I may have to pick one up then and add it to my pile of big hydraulic tools I've only used once.

Thanks guys.

 

As for that pic of the jack laying down on the engine hoist, I don't follow. It made me laugh because it looks sexual.

 

It is not rocket science...

 

Here's briefly how I replace a front wheel bearing because pressing the hub and bearing out hasn't worked as well as the method below.

1.) Secure the knuckle in the bench clamp.
2.) Use a hammer and driver to knock out the hub.
3.) Remove the circlip from the front of the knuckle.
4.) Use a hammer and driver to break the bearing loose from the knuckle.
5.) Remove brake heat shield.
6.) Press out the bearing.
7.) Cut slots into the inner bearing piece from the hub. (Step is optional if you're pressing in DSS or other hubs.)
8.) Clean and lube parts, and press in the new bearing with the old wheel bearing.
9.) Re-install heat shield and circlip.
10.) Press hub back in.

 

i used the harbor freight press and finished both side in about 20 mins. pretty easy if you have the right tools.

 

I would get a "Hub Tamer" from OTC. Its much smaller and comes with all the cups and adapters.

 

I don't follow how you don't follow. You dont see how you could use that to press a bearing in?

If you have a pile of hydraulic tools already you could use the ram out of one to press with also.

And yes a 12 ton press can do your wheel bearings.

 

Very creative. Ill remember that.

 

I have a hub tamer and honestly it doesnt save any time and its more expensive than a press, unless your charging the customer for an alignment and not doing it (which I won't do)...plus it cost me something like 300$ on ebay and its a single purpose tool (the press can be used for many things). The only reason I justified buying it was because of all the adapters and cups that come with it. They're great to use on the press.

I use this to pull the race off of the hub. takes about 1.5 minutes to pull it off. I use to use the old air hammer and cutoff wheel method, but You always run the risk of damaging the hub and it takes longer...
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...SR5JWGAAAPGNMW

and that jack in a cherry picker is a good one...Ill have to remember that also

 

I've got their 12 ton press and have done plenty of wheel bearings with it.

 

Worked great for me!

 

just use a hammer and some tube

 

Anyone know if the Harbor Freight 6 TON Shop Press would be sufficient for wheel bearings? It's considerably less ($89.99 vs $139.99).

6 Ton http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...temnumber=4711

12 Ton http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=33497

 

yes it will work....keep in mind though that not all situations are the same. Ive run into a couple REALLY stubborn bearings in my day, but for the most part 6 tons will do anything you need it to.

 

If the guy above managed to get his in with a 3 ton floor jack I would assume a 6 ton press should be sufficent

 

Do you think it matters if it's for a 2002 Infiniti G20? I think the way the bearings are pressed out is different, so I'm not sure if it will matter if it's a different vehicle

 

My wheel bearing gave out a while ago, and I was quoted "about $100" to press in/out bearing. I said screw that (knowing I dont like other people working on my stuff) and bought myself a 12-ton press at some crazy Harbor Freight sale. Since then Ive used it to press out another wheel bearing, many piston wrist pins, straighten motorcycle fork legs, and use it as a clamp. Just buy a press, it'll eventually pay for itself.

 

couldnt agree more