Chevrolet Light Duty Truck 1973 Service Manual page 247

Fig. 44— Typical Outer Race Removal
180° to 200°F should be flushed through the housing
while slowly rotating the bearing. Where the grease or
oil is badly oxidized and cannot be removed by this
method, a petroleum solvent such as kerosene or safety-
naphtha may prove effective. In extreme cases, a mixture
of alcohol and kerosene or safety-naphtha will remove
the greater part of the sludge and scale. When petroleum
solvents, by themselves or with alcohol added, are used
in this manner, they should be followed by a flushing
with light oil before the lubricant is added to the
housing. This will wash away any of these solvents which
would otherwise dilute the lubricant.
Where it is possible to dismount the bearings, they
should be placed in a metal basket and suspended in a
container of some clean, cold petroleum product. There
they should soak, if possible, overnight. If no metal
basket is available, the bearings may be suspended in the
solution by a length of wire. Do not let the bearings rest
on the bottom of the container. If the lubricant is badly
oxidized, the bearings should be soaked in a light oil
heated at 180° to 200°F, and the basket or wire sloshed
through the oil slowly as often as possible. In cases of
extreme sludging, the bearings may be soaked in a
mixture of alcohol and kerosene or safety-naphtha.
In cleaning bearings, use plenty of clean rags for wiping
and handling. Do not use cotton waste as the short
threads may get into the bearings.
A brush may be useful in helping the oil or solvent to
remove dirt, scale or chips from bearings. Care should
be taken that none of the bristles become lodged
between the rollers and races, because a piece of bristle
can be as harmful as a steel chip.
Compressed air which is entirely free from condensed
moisture may be used to blow out bearings, but only
after all dirt and chips have been removed by sloshing or
brushing.
Do not spin the bearings with compressed air
as dirt or chips present may cause indenting of the
raceways.
REAR SUSPENSION AND DRIVELINE
Installation Procedures
Before pressing a bearing back on the shaft, the bearing
seat should be thoroughly cleaned of all dirt, carbonized
lubricant or any other foreign matter present. Not only
may such things cause scoring of the shaft and the
bearing bore, but an improper bearing installation may
result. Dirt on the shaft may move ahead as the bearing
is pressed on the shaft, and pack between the inner race
and shaft shoulder. This in itself results in an improper
adjustment. If the dirt is later washed loose, the end
thrust on the bearing may cause a sideways movement of
the shaft which might cause misalignment of other
component parts.
After the bearing seat and the bearing bore have been
cleaned, they should be coated with lubricant. This not
only aids in pressing on the bearing but helps to prevent
the formation of rust at the press fit, and also assists any
later removal of the bearing.
The pressure required to drive bearings onto shafts or
into housings must be applied through the races. Where
bearings or bearing parts are assembled on shafts, apply
the pressure to the face of the inner race. Where
bearings or bearing parts are assembled in housings,
apply pressure to the face of the outer race. If the
pressure is directed through the wrong race or against
the rollers, cage or snap rings, brinelling, bending or
fracture may result.
The pressure, as well as going through the proper race,
should be directed straight and square. This means that
the pressure should be distributed as uniformly as
possible over the entire face of the race. Concentrating
the load on one side of the race will cause cocking and
may result in scoring the shaft or splitting the race. The
pressure should be directed straight down as a force
applied at an angle may result in damage to the shaft or
to the bearing separator or grease seal.
The arbor press provides one of the
The Arbor Press.
best means of mounting bearings and races, for its
Fig. 45—Effect of Dirt on Bearing Seat
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