Press size for removing axle shaft bearings?

I'm redoing the axle shafts on my Galaxie following my wonderful adventure of snapping an axle a few weeks ago. I got a used set from a boneyard that I'm going to have magnafluxed and install new bearings on. I'm debating if would be worth the money to buy my own press rather than pay a shop to press the old bearings off and then back on again.

How big of a shop press am I going to need for this operation? I'm looking at the standard a-frame style ones you see at harbor freight. Is 20 ton going to do the job?

 

A 20 ton will be plenty big for the axle bearings.


jerry

 

Will a 12 ton work? I only ask because its about 1/3 the price of the 20 ton unit.

 

Hould be good for it. Also check with the parts store, they will do it for free with parts purchase if they have the facilities. At least the better ones used to.

If you were closer to Phx you could use mine!


jerry

 

I had a little trouble with just one on my HF 12-ton ... Although it might have been because I didn't have a better set of arbor plates for the job. It's been a few years but I recall breaking out the torch and eventually it came loose.

I think the arbor plates are just as important as the press you're using .... The 12-ton should work.

 

True. I like to find a pair of 1" plates to use for a workbed. Cutting semi-circles helps axle work. A good bearing knife set is good, and if you cut the retainers with a torch or chisel, a ton or two should do the trick.

 

So maybe a good clamshell and a good set of arbor plates would be the way to go with a 12 ton unit.

 

When my bearings have been super siezed onto my axles, it usually takes 8000 pounds to push them off. Pressing them on should only take a couple thousand. You will need a good clamshell to press them onto the axle, otherwise it'll get REAL awkward for you. The other thing is, you can purchase a bearing warmer and warm them before you drop them on.........I like to press mine personally.

As already mentioned, most good parts stores like Carquest will press them on for you..........or you can pay the 15 clamshells and have it done.

 

I've got a 50 ton press (it was a deal) I can't ever remember getting it up to 20 tons. I just pressed one on a 9" axle I think it went to 1 or 2 tons to press on and I seated it at a wee bit more. My guess is that 12 tons will do THIS job, but having teh extra capacity MIGHT prove handy in the future. Not to mention that teh larger presses usually have a larger throat depth - THAT would be worth the extra money for me! Depends on what else you may find yourself doing.

 

the press should be at least as tall as you are to do wheel bearings. I'd get the big one, unless you're gonna give up on working on cars after this one job is complete.