Help with Pressing Bearings into Pulley

[TimP]

Put bearings in freezer over night then have everything ready to next day so that you can take bearing out of freezer and tap in pulley.
DevilDog

devildog1,

I'm convinced it would be a good idea to do this. I've seen it done in some other applications in order to get pieces to fit.

Thanks.

 

[TimP]

SUCCESS !

Well... at least to a degree.

As a few had suggested, I popped the bearing into the frrezer for an hour, pulled it out and lubed the bearing and inside of the pulley with some 10-w30 motor oil.

Then... as Old Coot suggested, I rigged up a bolt, some washers and a nut as a make shift press.

I started the bearing with my rubber mallet to get it lined up and then I actually banged it in flush using the mallet..... so far, so good.

I ran the bolt thru the pulley and bearing using a waher that was alomost as wide in diameter as the bearing and started to tighten up.

I was resistant.... but ultimately I was able to snug it all the way into the pulley without any deformation to the seal on the bearing. It spins fine !

It's not total success yet, as I still have to get a replacement bearing for the one I screwed up.

But since this worked... I'll go thru the same motions with the second bearing when I get it.

I'll give a follow up when I finish pressing in the secind bearing.

Thanks to all for the help and suggestions.

Tim

 

[Soundguy]

glad to hear it!

 

[TimP]

I ordered TWO new bearings with 2 day delivery.

Should have them Wednesday so I can finish this project.

 

[Soundguy]

keep us posted!

 

[TimP]

Will do !

 

[Old Coot]

I used to be a machinist and have used the shrink method many times. It is the best way if you don't have a press, but you have to be quick. As soon as the bearing touches the pulley the bearing starts growing. I don't know the size of the bearing but if you leave it in the freezer long enough a one inch dia should shrink about .oo1 of an inch and that should about drop in the hole if it is lined up right. Size to size is considered a light press. We used to use liquid nitrogen, around -300 degrees.
I only told about the bolt and nut method in case you don't have the use of a press and don't want to mess up a seal or part. We couldn't put seals in the nitogen because the rubber seal might become brittle and break.

 

[TimP]

I used to be a machinist and have used the shrink method many times. It is the best way if you don't have a press, but you have to be quick. As soon as the bearing touches the pulley the bearing starts growing. I don't know the size of the bearing but if you leave it in the freezer long enough a one inch dia should shrink about .oo1 of an inch and that should about drop in the hole if it is lined up right. Size to size is considered a light press. We used to use liquid nitrogen, around -300 degrees.
I only told about the bolt and nut method in case you don't have the use of a press and don't want to mess up a seal or part. We couldn't put seals in the nitogen because the rubber seal might become brittle and break.

Well... your bolt and nut method saved the day.

It took me a while to find the appropriate sized bolt to use, but after rooting thru the basement and garage, I found a combination of things that worked.

Thanks.