i am currently trying to install new races for the knuckle bearings, and they are both (top and bottom) half way in, but will not go in any further. I have been beating on them violently with a heavy hammer and block of wood. they are in farily level and need to go down just a bit more, but stopped moving. I put them in the freeze for an hour and that did no good. I have put a large C clamp on the knuckle ball and tried to press them both in at the same time, but no luck. I need some tips/ tricks asap. I got the old ones out easy. I am using Trail gears kit. I have read over 4crawlers site, but no help.

Thanks

 

they are back in the freezer.....

 

Check the outside of the races and the inside of the knuckle for any burrs in the metal. See if you can see what is hanging up on the race, try painting the outside with some marking compound or use a wide felt pen to color the outside, the push into the recess, remove and look for where the color has been scraped away. That will be the high spot. Then take down the high spot(s) with some emery cloth or fine metal sandpaper. Also, try heating up the recesses in the knuckle with a propane torch before pressing in the races.

 

i got it. i was being too gentle with it

 

Glad to hear you got 'em finally...they ARE a beeyotch! For future ref. buy a bearing and seal driver kit from Harbor Freight that way you can use the correct size driver and really wail on 'em. Works a little better than a block of wood on the stubborn stuff.

 

shade tree tip :

I use the old race , as a tool .. upside down .. (thin to thin) to install the new races .


works everytime

.

 

Good tip Slacker! I used that to get my wheel bearing races in (dont drive the old race too far in, or fun times may occur) I used a fat brass drift, a BFH and 62 cuss words to get my knuckle bearing races in

 

good tips...thanks

 

I just use my rubber/plastic/softblow hammer and wail on them in a circle til they go in.

 

thats a good way to wreck a good deadblow on a "sharp" edge


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