Pressing bearings on a d44 shaft

ecu88xj

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jul 5, 2005
Location
joco, NC
So, maybe I'm retarded, but I can't for the life of me find a writeup on pressing bearings on a semi floater rear 44 axle. It's an XJ 44 specifically.

The new alloy shafts are stepped where the races should stop, and I have a spare factory shaft that is setup already to use as a reference.

So my question is this:
Am I over thinking this or it it really as simple as putting on the backing plate and then pressing on the seal, spacer, bearing on the correct order essentially until each piece bottoms out on the other after the outermost piece hits the step?
 
ecu88xj said:
So, maybe I'm retarded, but I can't for the life of me find a writeup on pressing bearings on a semi floater rear 44 axle. It's an XJ 44 specifically.

The new alloy shafts are stepped where the races should stop, and I have a spare factory shaft that is setup already to use as a reference.

So my question is this:
Am I over thinking this or it it really as simple as putting on the backing plate and then pressing on the seal, spacer, bearing on the correct order essentially until each piece bottoms out on the other after the outermost piece hits the step?
Click to expand...
Place them on in the correct order and use a bearing press(or take it to a shop) on press it on.

John
 
wtf

well through another forum i was linked to the following:

http://www.myxj.net/tech/d44shafts/

That guy elected to live on the edge and use a piece of pipe and a sledge hammer instead of going to the shop where he had access to a press and beat the shi-at out of his bearings while wearing open toed shoes...

Buuuuut if you just replace 'sledge hammer and pipe' with 'press' It might be ok info.
However, the credibility of this information is seriously questionable in my mind given the above listed factors.:confused:
 
If you use the pipe route, just make sure it's the right diameter, and have a buddy hold the pipe in place so it doesn't slip and goof up the bearing cage.... WD-40 helps it go on a little easier....
 
We used a length of "pipe" and a floorjack (to the 3/8" steel header over the garage door) to do my brothers M20 1 pc. axles (same as a D44).

Another tip is to heat the bearing (we wrapped the cellophane wrapper in tinfoil & left in the sunshine) and freeze the axles (put them in the chest freezer overnight...) got it 1/3 of the way on by hand and only had to press the last 5/8"....

:beer:
 
Or you could drive over and borrow my press. Why make something so easy so difficult? Shot me a PM and you are more than welcome to use the press. I got it after getting raped by the machine shop to get some 9 inch bearings pressed on.
 
highlift handle is usually a good fit for those... use a piece of wood so you don't mess up the handle.... Yes i have a press, but its good to know that you can do it an alternat way if needed...
 
Down&Dirty said:
Or you could drive over and borrow my press. Why make something so easy so difficult? Shot me a PM and you are more than welcome to use the press. I got it after getting raped by the machine shop to get some 9 inch bearings pressed on.
Click to expand...

Hey if you trying to take me up on that offer for a 9" axle to get my bearings pressed off let me know ill make the trip

Ryan
 
I took a piece of pipe that fit over the shaft, all the way down, welded on some square tube to 4 sides for added weight and used it as a slide hammer. works like a charm.
 
mbalbritton said:
I took a piece of pipe that fit over the shaft, all the way down, welded on some square tube to 4 sides for added weight and used it as a slide hammer. works like a charm.
Click to expand...

that worked on your AMC20, remember it didnt work on my XJ D44 like this guy has............
 
Here is a couple pics of mbalbritton's bearing knocker.

ba_brngtool.jpg


ba_brngtool2.jpg



I have used similar contraptions over the years.
They work fine as long as you develop some "feel" for how hard you have to hit it and the difference between a bearing that is being stubborn and one that has seated.

Caver's suggestion about warming the bearings and freezing the shafts is a big help.

If you don't have enough solar energy to get them warm enough, you can put them in the oven on warm too.


Just don't heat the bearings enough to change the colour.

Next week we will go over the use of bag ice and rock salt to chill the shafts.

Axle flavoured ice cream anyone ?

:D
 
mbalbritton said:
Hello........John........ how........ are.......you.....this........week? :flipoff2:
Click to expand...

I think that is just normal. It should be more like this:

John










How









are





you








today


















?:flipoff2:
 
This is why I get the heeby Jeebies when I buy something used. ( Riding down the road 75 mph, headon @ tractor trailers , with bearings you beat the dog shit out of with pipe) Mercy, I hope someone realises bearings are hardened an subject to fracture, that cant always be seen. Keep them clean dont get any dirt in them, but its ok to wack the hell out of them. You guys are killing me.:beer:
 
Never had a problem out of them after wacking the hell out of them.... do you think they see less abuse when used off road?

beside.. My CJ won't do 75 mph.. :D
 
maverick said:
Mercy, I hope someone realises bearings are hardened an subject to fracture, that cant always be seen.
Click to expand...

...and pressing them onto a shaft that's marginally smaller w/ an XX ton press couldn't produce the same micro fissures?

:beer:
 
Pressing an impact or shock is not the same effect, Just a thought guys, dont get all rubber on me, There's just ways to do things an thats not one of them for me, Some guys reading this might not have the fill for what is enough, when installing them this way an may do more damage, than good. And properly installed bearings with proper torque have little shock in the housing. Failure is usually due to improper installation or dirt an not properly maintained with grease.
 
Clean the parts, use a little WD-40 on the sleeve the bearing is being "pressed" onto, and you don't have to hit it very hard at all.
 
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