Where to rent bearing press

[LXnastynotch93]

I'm installing new bearings in my front and rear wheels. I've seen the whole oversized socket install method, but would rather not hammer my wheels like a gorilla.

Is there anywhere that rents one of the mechanical bearing presses that goes through the center of the wheel?

[stoinkythepig]

Autozone or advance auto might. Alternatively, you could make one with threaded rod, nuts and washers.

[loudbeard]

12 ton shop press at harbor freight- $130

[stoinkythepig]

One other thing to add. If you leave the bearings in a freezer overnight and leave the wheel in the sun for a couple of hours on a warm cloudless day (or heat it in an oven, or with a heat gun), the bearings will almost fall into place in the wheel.

[LXnastynotch93]

I'm gonna try the heat gun and freezer trick to see if that helps at all. That's a pretty good idea

[stoinkythepig]

There's another method that involve a snatch block, 15 feet of proof coil chain, a backhoe, a wheelbarrow and sturdy tree, but the heat and cold method is probably easier.

[gamorg02]

I'm installing new bearings in my front and rear wheels. I've seen the whole oversized socket install method, but would rather not hammer my wheels like a gorilla.

Is there anywhere that rents one of the mechanical bearing presses that goes through the center of the wheel?

Got friends at a local garage? My local [car] mechanic said i could use his 20-ton if i ever needed to, however the freezer/heat method works pretty well for me.

Autozone or advance auto might. Alternatively, you could make one with threaded rod, nuts and washers.

that'd be cool if they did but I don't believe they do last i checked.

12 ton shop press at harbor freight- $130

i wanted the 12 ton myself but realized the distance between uprights was like 16" (IIRC) or small enough to not make sense for most wheels, have to goto the 20-ton HF one to get 19" i believe.

I'm gonna try the heat gun and freezer trick to see if that helps at all. That's a pretty good idea

it works really well, they still might need to be hit with a hammer/socket, but if you have the right size driver and use the old bearing inbetween it should go right in.

[Tas]

There's another method that involve a snatch block, 15 feet of proof coil chain, a backhoe, a wheelbarrow and sturdy tree, but the heat and cold method is probably easier.

I've heard of this method but it's a hassle to setup. Old school but works slick. Stick with the heat and freezer method though.

[loudbeard]

Yep after looking, the 12 ton is 16.5" so that won't work.

I have the 20 ton in my shop also, good unit for the money

[MHenry600]

I've got a couple of presses on our assembly floor right now that could probably completely flatten your wheels if you'd want to use them. I work at Greenerd Press.

Most small shops have at least an arbor press kicking around. As long as the throat on the press is deep enough to reach the center of the wheel, that would work best. I'm sure someone would do it for just a few bucks.

[SprintPoser]

Wow, great to hear you work there, as I thought they were gone for good.

Greenerd has always made the best damned arbor presses out there, and I lust for a Greenerd No.3-1/2.

[stoinkythepig]

I have a Greenerd #2 mounted to my work bench. Nice tool.