How to Press Bearings

Bearings come in all shapes and sizes. Bearing-pressing tools likewise come in various shapes and sizes depending on the job at hand. Some bearings require a large hydraulic press, normally not available to do-it-yourself mechanics. Other bearing pressing jobs require nothing more than a C-clamp and two sockets. The ideal (and safest) way for a "shade tree" mechanic to press bearings is with a hand-operated bearing press.

Instructions

Pressing Bearings Out

1

Screw the steel threaded rod into the main handle of the bearing press.

2

Slip a female adapter cup over the steel threaded rod, ensuring that the bottom of the cup faces the main handle of the bearing press.

3

Slide the correctly sized male extraction adapter through the inner race of the bearing.

4

Slide the other end of the threaded rod through the hole in the center of the male adapter. Screw the other handle of the bearing press onto thethreaded rod .

5

Spin the main handle clockwise down the threaded rod until all cups and adapters tighten. Inspect the assembly to ensure that the female cup sits flush with the frame or hub where the bearing is located.

6

Wind the main handle clockwise, allowing the male adapter to push the bearing into the female adapter cup.

7

Remove the press by spinning the main handle on the bearing press counterclockwise until it is unscrewed from the threaded rod and disassembling the parts of the press.

Pressing a Bearing in

8

Thread the steel threaded rod into the main handle of the bearing press.

9

Slip the correct size male adapter over the steel threaded rod, ensuring that the larger portion of the male adapter sits against the main handle. Insert the small part of the male adapter through the inner race of the bearing. Align the bearing with the hole in the frame or hub. Slip a female adapter over the other end of the threaded rod, ensuring that the adapter is larger than the diameter of the hole provided for the bearing. Thread the threaded rod into the other handle of the bearing press.

10

Spin the main handle clockwise down the threaded rod until all adapters are tight. Inspect the assembly to ensure that the bearing properly aligns with the hole provided in the frame or hub. Keep winding the main handle clockwise, enabling the male adapter to press on the outer race of the bearing, inserting the bearing in the hole provided.

11

Remove the press by spinning the main handle on the bearing press counterclockwise, until it is unscrewed from the threaded rod and disassembling the rest of the press.