Pressing bearings

[GSR]

Anybody got any suggestions:

This bearing has gone in 90% of the way but has now hit a stop and won’t go any further.
I’m replacing all the rubber bushes with spherical bearings but this o e won’t go in. I don’t want to start the other side if they are going to be a problem.

 

[Ubique]

Put a socket in the underside so it can protrude through the arm.
The 'stop' is the plate it's sitting on...

 

[GSR]

Put a socket in the underside so it can protrude through the arm.
The 'stop' is the plate it's sitting on...

Unfortunately not, there’s still another 6-8mm before it hits the plate

 

[Ubique]

Then is it the correct item / correct orientation?

 

[Brad93]

Heat the frame up with a blow torch, chill the bearing your pressing in with plumbers freeze spray.

It's probably galled together, may be well and truly stuck now which would mean pressing it out

 

[Ubique]

Just looked at the photo again - the paint won't be helping at all.

 

[GSR]

Heat the frame up with a blow torch, chill the bearing your pressing in with plumbers freeze spray.

It's probably galled together, may be well and truly stuck now which would mean pressing it out

I did try the whole lot in the freezer hoping the aluminium would shrink compared to the steel arm. Think you’re right and the bearing needs to come out. May well be a case of cutting the arm to save the bearing and try again in a fresh arm

 

[Brad93]

Check the machining of new bushing/bearing with an accurate micrometer. You need to check the new part doesn't have a taper.

Personally i would warm the arm to 100°+ and then freeze spray the bearing, they should then drop together. Have the press waiting in case it binds up.

You could also use an assembly paste, anti-fret grease or even some molybdenum disulphide grease to aid installation.

I'd check the size first.

 

[Brad93]

Aluminium in steel.

It's definitely galled. Game over i'm afraid. You'll have to press it out.

Definitely heat the arm new time, freezer won't do sod all you need about 90°c difference between parts to aid pressing together. The freeze spray works much better than a freezer.

 

[GSR]

Check the machining of new bushing/bearing with an accurate micrometer. You need to check the new part doesn't have a taper.

Personally i would warm the arm to 100°+ and then freeze spray the bearing, they should then drop together. Have the press waiting in case it binds up.

You could also use an assembly paste, anti-fret grease or even some molybdenum disulphide grease to aid installation.

I'd check the size first.

Will heat and freeze spray help getting them apart as well?

 

[roofman]

That arm has been made to tolerance then painted, get some paper on the paint back to metal or you will suffer again. Plus don't know if its the angle but that socket does not seem to be sitting central on the bush, that wont help.

 

[8ob]

I dont think there is much chance the hole is going to be round, sleeve has been welded and very much doubt there was any need to remachine the hole for the original rubber bush.

Bob

 

[Melvyn Best]

I suspect that when the bush ( it’s not a bearing) is being pressed in and it hits a stop the internal crush tube ( the steel tube in the center of the bush) is hitting the plate underneath ? As already suggested put a socket or a piece of thick walled tube the same diameter as the “eye” of the suspension arm under the eye before pressing further

 

[8ob]

I suspect that when the bush ( it’s not a bearing) is being pressed in and it hits a stop the internal crush tube ( the steel tube in the center of the bush) is hitting the plate underneath ? As already suggested put a socket or a piece of thick walled tube the same diameter as the “eye” of the suspension arm under the eye before pressing further

He isn't pressing in a rubber bush Melvyn, he is pressing in a bearing/rose joint. I think he will need to remachine or hone the original hole to make it round.

Bob

 

[prepman]

He isn't pressing in a rubber bush Melvyn, he is pressing in a bearing/rose joint. I think he will need to remachine or hone the original hole to make it round.

Bob

Don't think he mentioned rubber?

 

[Melvyn Best]

He isn't pressing in a rubber bush Melvyn, he is pressing in a bearing/rose joint. I think he will need to remachine or hone the original hole to make it round.

Bob

Yes , your right I’ve just reread the original post , Ignore me!

 

[Morrisman]

Unless it’s a hell of an interference fit that tube would surely stretch enough to allow the bush in, with a ton or so of pressure. How easily did it go in this far?

 

[arther dailey]

when you do put it in a smear of grease I find helps stop pick up , not copper slip.

 

[Morrisman]

Will heat and freeze spray help getting them apart as well?

I think it’s too late for that now, any heat applied will make the aluminium expand faster and further than the steel.

There’s virtually no way to hold the arm to press the bush out either now, unless you craft something from steel plate that will slip around the bush and against the edge of the collar it’s pressed into, and support it on something while you press out the bush.

 

[GSR]

Thanks for all the input so far. it is definitely a bearing and not a rubber bush. The original rubber bushes do have a metal outer that’s pressed into the arm so would hope the hole is fairly circular, but any in accuracies in the hole could be lost in the rubber I guess. It’s not far enough through the arm yet to be hitting on the plate of the press. The socket in the image is central to the bearing, the outer edge of the bearing is slightly damaged on side from pressing on the outer edge and not the inner section so is bent and making it look like it’s at an odd angle. The paint on the inner face that’s visible of the other hole is overspray only and this problem hole was cleaned of paint before attempting to put this bearing in. I think Brad is right on this one and as above, it’s not the easiest to try and push the bearing back out now - think this arm will be cut off to save the bearing and clean the bearing up before trying it in another arm that’s been measured up etc