My favorite task!

[rabbit]

Or maybe not. This is getting a lot easier now that I have a set of bearing race drivers. Also bought a bearing packer [not shown] which I could have got on without but I'd say it conserves grease and is less trouble.

[Donna D.]

Some people know how to have ALL the fun

[Raz]

Hi Jack. Neat tool but I am not sure why I would need one. I figured when it was time for drum machining I would buy a new one. Eastern marine sells them at a good price and shows the bearing cup already installed. Am I wrong here? Raz

[mary and bob]

I like seeing the trailer supported by two stands plus the jack under the axle, parts laid out on a mat, and I have a hammer like yours but in a little better shape. Nice having the right tools, I've always used a punch to put the bearing cup in. Next are you getting a seal driver?

[rabbit]

Hi Raz. I didn't get the drum turned; looked fine no scoring. Your way sounds like a possible alternative. I repacked the right side a few weeks back. On the short run down to Lum's Pond where we encountered each other, it ran so much cooler than the left hub that I decided to get in there today. This time I knocked out the races and replaced everything. Little compare and contrast project. One set Russky in one wheel and Chinese in the other now. I wish I'd bought Timken bearings a la carte rather than the Eastern Marine bearing set. Would have been about $25 difference for both sides. Maybe next year and then maybe I'll never have to replace and can just repack.

M&B, I think you're supposed to use one of the larger race drivers reversed on the mandrel to seat the seal. Anyway, that's what I did. This is not something I learned at Daddy's side; I was neither car crazy nor much of a wrench in my tender youth so there's a bit of a learning curve. I didn't include a photo of the tv hooked on the front as a safety measure. Driveway slopes and with only two points on the ground I need one of them to be a big anchor.

Donna, I coulda used some hotrodder expertise going in but my curbside manner, so to speak, is improving.


jack

[ThomasE]

Was there any wear or scoring of the races or did you replace as a preventive measure? When I did mine, they looked fine after cleaning with brake cleaner so I just left them alone.

[rabbit]

Thomas, the inner bearing looked starved to me but there wasn't any heat bluing on the axle or the bearing. I replaced everything to learn to replace everything. Baby steps. I don't want to do this in a breakdown situation and I most especially don't want to LEARN HOW to do it in a breakdown situation.

jack

[BCDave]

Now, if the old ones weren't "too bad", pack them with fresh grease, too, and lightly grease the races. Double bag the whole works in zip-lok bags and stow them in the trailer somewhere, so that, in case of any possible future issues on the road, you can just pop in a set of "already packed" bearings and be back on your way in half an hour.

Superstitious behaviour: Carrying them should ensure that they will never be needed, while tossing the old ones out will ensure that some dirt gets into your new ones on your very trip.

[rabbit]

The "pop em in" bit sounds optimistic, Dave, but having spares, used or fresh, is a good idea. I might just pack the set of takeoffs AND my chunk of brass pipe AND my BFH AND my bearing packer, AND a couple extra seals, AND at least the two sizes of race setter that I absolutely need, AND maybe 10lbs of miscellananeous other and place it all "somewhere in the trailer." Is this how the Joads got to California?

jack

[Deb & Chuck]

I sell all the tools made in USA on my website. I am guessing people would rather buy Chinese made which are cheaper.
Chuck

[rabbit]

I sell all the tools made in USA on my website. I am guessing people would rather buy Chinese made which are cheaper.
Chuck
__________________

Do you have a catalog listing your comprehensive inventory and price list for all USA-made parts/tools pertaining to axles, brakes, bearings? I'll bet "people" are willing to give you a shot. Me too! I got my bearing packer from Lisle, which is, I am led to believe, a stateside manufacturer rather than a shill for the Chinee.

jack