Tacoma rear axle bearing replacement without a press
08-25-2018, 05:12 PM
#1
Registered User
Thread Starter
Tacoma rear axle bearing/retainer replacement without a press
Howdy guys,
I just wanted to share some tips on removing rear axle bearings/retainers from the rear axle without a press. This method is WAY easier than beating the axle against a piece of plywood to remove the bearing/retainer. Use a Dremel tool or drill with a cut-off wheel to put a slot in the bearing retainer/bearing race then split them off the axle with a SHARP coal/cold chisel. Holding the chisel parallel with & at least 1/8" off the axle will allow you to do the splitting without doing any damage to your axle. Much like cutting a diamond, all it takes is a single good strike with a heavy hammer driving the SHARP coal/cold chisel into the slot made with the Dremel tool. I split off (2) bearing retainers & (2) rear axle bearings in 30 minutes, just about as fast as I could press them off.
The new bearing & retainer were tapped on with a length of CLEANED 1 1/2" pipe. Grease the bearing surface of the axle well, put the new bearing/retainer on the axle, & place the old split bearing on the top. Use the pipe as a slide hammer on the surface of the old bearing to gently tap on the new bearing, tap on the retainer, and the 1 1/2" pipe is just the right size to push the split ring down the axle into the groove. The bearing/retainer went on much easier & quicker than I thought by keeping the bearing/retainer square with the axle while tapping them on. .02
I just wanted to share some tips on removing rear axle bearings/retainers from the rear axle without a press. This method is WAY easier than beating the axle against a piece of plywood to remove the bearing/retainer. Use a Dremel tool or drill with a cut-off wheel to put a slot in the bearing retainer/bearing race then split them off the axle with a SHARP coal/cold chisel. Holding the chisel parallel with & at least 1/8" off the axle will allow you to do the splitting without doing any damage to your axle. Much like cutting a diamond, all it takes is a single good strike with a heavy hammer driving the SHARP coal/cold chisel into the slot made with the Dremel tool. I split off (2) bearing retainers & (2) rear axle bearings in 30 minutes, just about as fast as I could press them off.
The new bearing & retainer were tapped on with a length of CLEANED 1 1/2" pipe. Grease the bearing surface of the axle well, put the new bearing/retainer on the axle, & place the old split bearing on the top. Use the pipe as a slide hammer on the surface of the old bearing to gently tap on the new bearing, tap on the retainer, and the 1 1/2" pipe is just the right size to push the split ring down the axle into the groove. The bearing/retainer went on much easier & quicker than I thought by keeping the bearing/retainer square with the axle while tapping them on. .02
Last edited by leid; 08-29-2018 at 10:05 AM.
08-30-2018, 01:27 PM
#4
Registered User
Thread Starter
The tinypic.com pic in original post is visible with IE10 but not with some other browsers. Why is FAR above my pay grade when it comes to computers. This imgbb.com pic appears to be visible with all browsers.
https://ibb.co/noFgDU
https://ibb.co/noFgDU
Last edited by leid; 09-02-2018 at 12:38 PM.
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