Spindle Bearing Replacement Questions

Nailhead · #1 03-07-2016, 12:20 PM

I'm in the process of refurbishing a 42" cast-end deck, and have a few questions about spindle bearing replacement.

First, how do you all remove the races from the bearing housing? The very helpful parts man at the local CC dealer suggested using a hammer & punch to beat them out, but I found it's impossible (for me) not to scar up the bore of the housing this way. Easily fixed with a Dremel, but I'd like to avoid having to do so. What's the preferred method?

Second, can the bearing spacers be reused? The CC spindle bearing kit costs a LOT more than the bearings can be bought for separately. I plan to mic the new spacer I have & compare it to the old ones, but I want to find out what the prevailing wisdom on this is.

Third, what's the preferred method for bearing race installation? Lyle (mentioned above) suggested grinding a discarded race slightly undersize, and using it and a hammer to set the new races. My thought was heating the housing in the oven and freezing the races, but I don't want the stench of old paint, grease, and rust filling my house. My next thought was taking the whole mess to a shop for installation, but I'd rather not pay someone else to so this. Thoughts?

Any tips appreciated.

gdheck · #2 03-07-2016, 12:42 PM

Yes you can reuse the spacers. I put a bit of a chamfer on the end of a punch to help avoid scratches. After the first one, you can stick something down the bore to press the 2nd race out. A bearing driver and an arbor press or hydraulic press is the preferred method to install the races nice and straight. A socket and press or even a socket and hammer will do, but know that it isn't "the right way". A large vise will also work as a press in a pinch. Just put a piece of 1x4 or something on the jaws to protect the parts from the serrations on the jaws.

64fleetside · #3 03-08-2016, 10:01 AM

I use a brass punch.

Nailhead · #4 03-08-2016, 01:42 PM

Thank you for the help!

I'll get a brass punch, reuse those spacers, and take the bearing assemblies to someone with a press & have the bearing races installed correctly. No sense going to all this trouble & skimping on such an important component.

64fleetside · #5 03-08-2016, 09:07 PM

You can put them in with the brass punch too. I freeze stuff like that alla time to save time and elbow grease.

Nailhead · #6 03-16-2016, 11:47 AM

Got it finally!

I decided to try a larger hammer with the same punch to remove the cups on the replacement center casting, and it worked great: instead of having to take a hard swing with my ball pein, all I had to do was drop the 3-pounder on the punch, which allowed me to hold the punch much more precisely and avoid damage to the housing bore. Quick, too.

Yesterday, I stopped by a local tractor restoration shop to ask the owner if he could press the new bearing cups in. He says "You have a swinging press, right?", and tells me several times I could do it just as quick as he could, and I wouldn't have any problems at all.

What the hell, why not? I found an appropriately-sized 3/4"-drive socket, grabbed my MAPP gas torch, and my favorite hammer.

After heating the housing so I could get the bearing cup started, I was able to beat the cups home without much trouble. Yes!

Now it's on to rust removal, paint, buying a bucketful of 1" carriage bolts, and putting it all back together.

Thanks again for all the help.