removing hub bearing with hydraulic press

[ka24et]

I am in the process of replacing my growling front right hub bearing on my S13. I have a new bearing from Nissan and the 30mm socket to remove the hub. I am deciding whether or not to buy a 12 ton press from harbor freight (I like accumulating tools anyway) or last resort take it to a shop.

Assuming you use a hydraulic press, what am I going place between the ram tip and the old bearing? A VERY large socket? Does it matter what part of the bearing it rests on?

To press in the new bearing, I assume I can use the old bearing and some thick plate placed over the old bearing.

I searched Zilvia and googled and haven't found specifics on how this is done? Or is there some jawed puller that would work to remove the hub bearing?

[gt3071r240]

you should be pressing on the outer race of the bearing since it is the parts that is Press fit. I like collecting tools too, i say buy the press... im going to get one shortly.

[projectRDM]

A press is invaluable to have. That being said, most places that sell the press will also have a set of 'drifts' (please, no ghey ass JDM jokes here), large metal rods in various sizes that should fit most any size bearing. These are used to press against the bearing. On the other side, two large plates or stacked boards work to hold the hub in place, it's basically a "put it together to work" type of job. After the bearing is out you'll probably need a bearing splitter to press the race off the hub's shaft, they generally come apart.

[ka24et]

I wonder if Harbor Freight has drifts...

So does that mean for every job that you wish to press, you need the specific drift sized for that job? Sounds like a drift collection would look like a collection of sockets. One for every job? The bearing is ~2" in diameter. That's going to be one big drift. It would be nice if there was an adjustable drift or something.

I'll start asking around. Thx.

[projectRDM]

You can buy a kit with 8-10 sizes for cheap, they'll fit 90% of any job you'll do.

[Jung918]

I have the A frame model along with the drifts. My frame is bent at the top along with a broken bolt. This was done by user error. I would suggest you use better bolts then the one that comes with the kit. I think they gave you grade 4 bolts. I think the H frame press would be a stronger design.
Also, remember to take out the c clip before trying to take out the bearing.

[ka24et]

you should be pressing on the outer race of the bearing since it is the parts that is Press fit. I like collecting tools too, i say buy the press... im going to get one shortly.

I got the front hub off and noticed that you can see the outer race from the behind (after removing the C-clip), but NOT from the other side (wheel side). From the wheel side the outer race is not visible; hence not pressable. This also must mean the bearing removal direction is from wheel side -> inside.

I assume that means you can just press on the inner (rotating) part of the old bearing that you can see during removal? I also assume the bearing will not come apart from the forces and come out in one whole piece?

During installation, I will be using the old bearing on the new bearing and hope that the outer race will get the brunt of the force (inner and outer race seem more or less flush).

I just don't want to damage the new bearing or totally destroy the old bearing making more work for myself.

[pacefarm]

gonna bring this back to life.

i'm about to do the same thing on a pair of J30 hubs.

did you end up purchasing the press? which one did you get?

harbor freight has a bunch of different ones. i'm wondering if a 6 ton press is enough to do the job. i'm planning on pressing out the stock bushings as well.

here's the press i'm considering:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/photos/04700-04799/04711.gif
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=4711

let us know how the everything worked out!

[98s14inaz]

gonna bring this back to life.

i'm about to do the same thing on a pair of J30 hubs.

did you end up purchasing the press? which one did you get?

harbor freight has a bunch of different ones. i'm wondering if a 6 ton press is enough to do the job. i'm planning on pressing out the stock bushings as well.

here's the press i'm considering:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/photos/04700-04799/04711.gif
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=4711

let us know how the everything worked out!

The 6 ton harbor freight press sucks for bushings. Use a torch, burn out the rubber, rip out the center piece with pliers, cut the metal collar with a sawzall, put the bushings in by hand with a 8" clamp.

Back on topic. I've read that the wheel bearings are damn near impossible to get out (this was on my friend's s14 though). You might as well replace the whole hub or have a shop do it with a man's press. Harbor Freight's presses won't have enough power to get them out, not to mention they aren't very stable...the 6ton I had (and took back) would constantly move out of position if you breathed on it funny.

[pacefarm]

any ideas what shops usually charge to press a bearing out? ballpark

[statik]

gonna bring this back to life.

i'm about to do the same thing on a pair of J30 hubs.

did you end up purchasing the press? which one did you get?

harbor freight has a bunch of different ones. i'm wondering if a 6 ton press is enough to do the job. i'm planning on pressing out the stock bushings as well.

here's the press i'm considering:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/photos/04700-04799/04711.gif
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=4711

let us know how the everything worked out!

as far as bushings go, this is what you are in for

http://www.zilvia.net/f/showthread.php?t=165043

I would recommend getting at least a 10 ton press as the gauge on my press read upwards of 5 when i was pressing out the control arm bushings.