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

 

When i changed mine a while back i didn`t have any problems driving the new races back in. When you knocked out the old races did you clean the area were the races go before trying to install the new ones ?. Just throwing this out, but are you sure the parts you have are the correct ones ?.

 

x2 on there being junk you missed down in the spots where the races are supposed to go.

 

You can use a brass drift as well to help set those races.

 

I agree, they should drive all the way down fairy easy. I would recommend driving them out. Clean the hole where they go good. Inspect them to ensure you did not damage them. It is a lot of work to have to redo. Then go get yourself a brass drift about 1" in dia. It will be pricey with the cost of metal these days. Use the brass drift to tap them all the way down. Thats right its a tap. If you are putting everything you got into the hammer something is wrong.

Another old timer trick is to use your old bearing races. Use the flat side that would have been down, on top of the tapered side of the new one to get them started, and driven down to were they are flat with he knuckle. Then turn the old bearing over and use it taperd side to tapered side to drive the new bearing all the way in.

I know lots of run on sentences. But you get the point.

Then dont throw away the brass drift, and keep a selection of different size bearing races. You will use these tools for the rest of your life.

Later

 

Ditto on the brass drift. You also should have a brass bar. It's useful for breaking the cone washers free among other things. I got a brass bar and drift in a set.

A block of wood is not gonna cut it. lol.

 

Have you tried using dry ice?