Need tips for installing upper and lower A arm bearings on an 88' 250. I beat the old bearings out with a socket. I don't have a press and want to avoid any shop fees when possible. Will a c clamp work to get it started? Afterwards can I just tap it in with a socket? Or will that ruin the seals? Any ideas?
watch using the C clamp, make sure it goes in straight. and make sure to put some kind of grease
on inside of the walls where bearing goes, but i use the socket to put mine in. good luck
I use a socket to install aswell, when I did mine I put the bearings in my freezer for about an hr and they went in like butter. just use greas on outer surface of bearing too
I used a vice and socket.Not sure whether you have a vice or not.
I greased the bearing and inside the a arm hung the a arm on the edge of the bench by the mounting point/bearing pocket tapped the bearing with a rubber mallet to start it then put a piece of wood on it and wailed it with a mini sledge. A socket and hammer got it the rest of the way but most all of mine went in with one or two whacks with the mini sledge.
Thanks guys. Do I need to pack the bearings with Greece before I put them in?
I loaded mine up after they were in makes for a lot of mess if you pack them first. I did that on the first one I tried putting in.
Put the bearings in the deep freeze and the arms in the oven. Lube em up with oil of your choice. Squeeze them In With the vise
How hot do I set the oven?
400, put the bearings/bushings in the freezer overnight before. Oh and make sure your wife/gf/mom isn't home at this time
Works with engine case bearings to. Only need about 250 though.
Oh boy do I have some stupid questions for ya.
1. After I pull it out of the oven, do I install the bearing right away? Or...
2. Should I attempt to apply grease to the hot a arm bearing housing before I attempt to put the bearing in?
3. Should the bearing be placed directly in the middle of the bearing housing? All 4 of The old ones i took out were closer to one side than the other.
Clean the inside of the a arms. Make surethey are smooth and clean. No burrs, dents, rust, ect.
Wear some welding gloves(they work great for grilling too) oil up while hot one hole at a time. Only oil the one that you are going to press In because the oil will cool it down fast. then immediately begin pressing in the bearing. Get them as close to center as u can, using a socket that will barely fit in the arm.
I used regular motor oil. It really don't matter what kind of oil you use. Just whatever u have around. No need to get crazy picky on getting them perfectly centered side to side. Just get it as close as u can and make sure it is inside. If you use anti seize for lube, it may make the next bearing change easier, but it really don't matter. I did mine with a bench vice, socket, and I used an acetylene torch for heat. If I didn't have that I would have used the oven(when the wife wasn't there as stated above) also, if you haven't had alot of experience using a torch, use the oven cause you don't want it getting too hot.
The first time I put mine in using some all thread, washers, a socket and 2 nuts (will posts pics)
Then the other night I used an 11/16 deep well socket and a pair of pliers for a hammer lol.
I pack mine before installation and grease both the bearing and inner of the arm.
When you go to install them MAKE SURE YOU ONLY APPLY FORCE TO THE SMOOTH SIDE OF THE BEARING. ITS THE SIDE WITH THE NUMBERS ON IT. THE OTHER SIDE IS BUBBLED OUT AND WILL COLLAPSE.
I'd love any pics. I have no vice, but I have all the different types of hammers and mallets. Just no bench. Been beating on milk crates turned upside down. They can take quite a beating.
Get a vise at harbor freight. They are probably $30. Bolt it to the kitchen table!