I'm using a rear axle from a 1928 Studebaker GB sedan for the Indy car, same as the originals (3.31 ratio). I'm ready to re-assemble the axle after having had the differential out for new bearings. I even got two NOS axle shafts. Now I need to press on the new bearings for the axle shafts. The outer bearing has a tapered bore to match the axle shaft taper. These bearings were rare and expensive. The manuals from the period say to press the bearing on tight with an arbor press. My questions are:
1. What do I use to press against the inner race of the bearing? The outer end of the shaft will stick out about 6-8 inches beyond the bearing. The shaft diameter is 1.625 inch at the big end of the taper, about 1 inch at the outer end.
2. How do I know how hard to push? I can get the shaft under my 12-ton hydraulic press which has a 1" diameter post on the end of the hydraulic cylinder. How much oomph do I need to put on the pump lever?
It's not like pressing a straight-bore bearing up against a shoulder, so I thought I'd get a little advice. There is a bolted iron cap with shims to go over the outer end of the shaft to hold the bearing against the axle housing, so the shaft and bearing can't really move out after assembly, but I assume the bearing should be quite tight before assembly. Suggestions?
1. What do I use to press against the inner race of the bearing? The outer end of the shaft will stick out about 6-8 inches beyond the bearing. The shaft diameter is 1.625 inch at the big end of the taper, about 1 inch at the outer end.
2. How do I know how hard to push? I can get the shaft under my 12-ton hydraulic press which has a 1" diameter post on the end of the hydraulic cylinder. How much oomph do I need to put on the pump lever?
It's not like pressing a straight-bore bearing up against a shoulder, so I thought I'd get a little advice. There is a bolted iron cap with shims to go over the outer end of the shaft to hold the bearing against the axle housing, so the shaft and bearing can't really move out after assembly, but I assume the bearing should be quite tight before assembly. Suggestions?
Comment