Farmall Cub

Hi all - when installing bearings on shafts like the front spindles - it's recommended that a bearing heater be used. Now I don't have that kind of spare change around.

I have a brass drift pin set - can't the bearings just be warmed in the oven and tapped on? This seems to be what the service manual calls for.

A bearing heater is the preferred method however heating them in an oven will work just fine. Another way I was taught to heat bearings is put them in a pan of oil and heat the oil on a burner. The thing you want to watch is not getting the bearings to hot, over 200 degrees and not getting them hot enough and having them get locked on the shaft half way on. I would shoot for 180 to 200 degrees for the bearing installation.

To install the bearings on the spindle it would be a good idea to have a piece of pipe that will fit over the spindle and seat on the inner bearing race and a heavy hammer ready just in case the bearing doesn't slide all the way onto the spindle. You can get by with a drift punch but something that has more surface contact with the race will lessen the possibility of chipping the race. With any luck you won't need anything but plan on it happening. A little amount of oil or grease on the shaft will help a bit too. If the seals need to go on first (I don't have a diagram in front of me) make sure do that first. Review the assembly before you put the bearings on.

P.S. When you get the bearings heated up there in NJ, they will most likely be cooled down by the time you install them in NY.

I have not told a lot of folks this But I polish the spindle with emery cloth , just enough that the bearing will slid on with a little effort, next time no fuss getting the bearing off You get the pre-load with the spindle nut.
Boss

Boss Hog wrote:I have not told a lot of folks this But I polish the spindle with emery cloth , just enough that the bearing will slid on with a little effort, next time no fuss getting the bearing off You get the pre-load with the spindle nut.
Boss

David, do you mean a grit like crocus cloth or not that fine?

I am not sure I will look but I think it is between 220 and 400

It is 320 grit

I really see no reason why those spindle bearings need to be press fit, a snug slip fit should suffice. Anyway, I keep a toaster oven in my shop for such occasions.

Boss Hog is correct in cleaning and smoothing up the shaft where the Timken or other roller bearing cone will ride. You should not ever have to heat up this type of bearing in this application to make it fit. They are made to "slide" on. Yes, sometimes a little persuasion is necessary. Be careful and only use the inside of the cone if you are using a soft drift to put it on. In the industrial world there are many applications where it is needed to heat a bearing to get it onto the shaft for an interference fit. Those fits come in lots of styles. Sometimes even need to cool down the shaft to put the heated bearing on. Very tight fit!
Also, don't ever, no matter how tempted, use a plain old torch to heat the bearing for installation! Not good for the bearing at all. Maybe a rosebud tip, moving a lot and not in one place too long. Take these notes for what you will from an old time bearing and gearing salesman.

Ken:

I just googled bearing heaters .. then saw this at Grainger - Bearing Heaters and after I recovered from my going down the wrong pipe ....

Since I know I have at least a few front spindle bearings to do, I am going to take Steve's, David's, Gary's and Rick's advice. Emery cloth is a staple in my tractor shop and I am going down to my local Habitat for Humanity Restore store and get me a used toaster oven for the pole barn I don't want to go through what we did last year at Cecil's. Course we can discuss that further in about 7 weeks or so

If you can find a metal pan that the bearing will fit in, add enough oil (engine oil, hydraulic oil whatever type you have) to cover the bearing!! Put the bearing in it and heat it, I have an old hot plate heater but anything that will heat it to around 250 degrees will work!!! Leave brg in it till you are sure the brg is good and hot, take a pair of pliers remove the brg from hot oil and it will more likely then not slip right over the shaft, let it cool by itself and should be tight on the shaft!!! Has worked numerous times for me even with the larger ball bearings!!!!