Opinion on 6-ton shop press for installing rear bearings

[MoPar~Man]

I'm thinking of buying one of these (new) off e-bay for about $140 (same as $100 USD). For pushing new (taper) bearings onto my rear axle (8 3/4) shafts after I take the old ones off. I know this press is not tall enough, but it will sit on a bench with a hole for the shaft. Just wondering if "6 tons" is enough. The pusher plate + rod looks like it might be a little wobbly? Is the jack free-floating on these, or is it welded (or bolted) on either top or bottom or both?

 

[bigmoparjeff]

The jacks usually just sit in place on these style presses. The top plate likely has a cup welded to it that centers the jack ram.

6 tons is on the light side for doing the bearings. If you have an average size shaft and an average size bearing, it will probably work. If bad luck pairs a slightly larger shaft with a slightly smaller bearing, it may not get the job done. I had a real tight one a little while back where the lock ring actually split after it was pressed on and I had to buy another bearing to get a new ring.


Jeff

 

[Big_John]

I use a 12 ton press. I know you don't have Harbor Freight in Canada, but here's what I use. https://www.harborfreight.com/12-ton-h-frame-floor-shop-press-70604.html

That 6 ton press might work just fine, but the rule of thumb with presses is to "always get the bigger one".

The one you've pictured is also too short, although you can block it up. That makes it a little shaky though and I wouldn't recommend that. You could also make a hole in the bench its on, that would be sturdier, but it also kind of messes up your bench.

 

[Gerald Morris]

I use a 20 ton press, and recommend you look for something larger than that 6 ton one. Get yourself a 20 ton, and then you'll be SURE you have something large enough for anything you need to do to your ride.

 

[MoPar~Man]

I'll buy the 6-ton unit I mentioned above. If the jack just sits there then I can easily swap in a jack with more rated capacity. These do come in a 12-ton version (for an extra $40) with a taller stand. The frame looks identical otherwise. But really, a 6-ton jack isin't enough for this stuff?

 

[john-9]

did you look at Princess Auto in Canada ( Canadian version of Harbor Freight) they have several versions of shop presses from $90.00 and up . also KMS tools located in BC , Alberta , etc. they have a nice 12 ton press for $220.00 Can. and a bench version for $179.00 Can.

 

[MoPar~Man]

did you look at Princess Auto in Canada ( Canadian version of Harbor Freight) they have several versions of shop presses from $90.00 and up . also KMS tools located in BC , Alberta , etc. they have a nice 12 ton press for $220.00 Can. and a bench version for $179.00 Can.

Yes I know PA is the equivalent of HF but the only PA store in my city is clear across town (they used to be closer but they moved a few years ago) and I hate the drive and hardly go there any more.

PA is showing a "hot buy" 6-ton for $90 and 12-ton for $120 but those must have been door crashers from last December because there's no stock on those. I would have gone there to buy the 12-ton if they had it. Otherwise what they do have in stock starts at $300 (for a 12-ton) and the cheapest 20-ton is $550. Maybe it's different if you see them in person but from the pics they don't seem to beef up the I or H beams on these things as you go up in capacity.

I'd like to get a pair of those heavy thick "X" plates that I see in some video's but it looks like PA doesn't have them and I don't know if anyone sells those on-line.

 

[KevinW]

Yes I know PA is the equivalent of HF but the only PA store in my city is clear across town (they used to be closer but they moved a few years ago) and I hate the drive and hardly go there any more.

PA is showing a "hot buy" 6-ton for $90 and 12-ton for $120 but those must have been door crashers from last December because there's no stock on those. I would have gone there to buy the 12-ton if they had it. Otherwise what they do have in stock starts at $300 (for a 12-ton) and the cheapest 20-ton is $550. Maybe it's different if you see them in person but from the pics they don't seem to beef up the I or H beams on these things as you go up in capacity.

I'd like to get a pair of those heavy thick "X" plates that I see in some video's but it looks like PA doesn't have them and I don't know if anyone sells those on-line

 

[KevinW]

just this week I completed what you’re contemplating. I purchased a 12 ton Vevor press off Amazon Canada as I’m in Ontario. I’m rebuilding the centre section 8 3/4 3:31 differential in my 1960 300/F. I also replaced the axle bearings. I’m in rural Ontario. This unit was perfect and I paid $166 including all taxes and delivery. In total I pressed on 5 bearings, one for each axle, one on each side of the new Suregrip unit and one rear pinion shaft bearing. The front pinion bearing doesn’t require pressing. Anyway, as you know, purchasing off of eBay if you’re in Canada is painful with respect to taxes, duties, delivery and of course exchange rates. Unless it cannot be located anywhere else I avoid it like the plague.

 

[KevinW]

I see the price went up since last week as it’s now showing 180 plus tax for the same one. Anyway it’s still a good deal I think.

 

[RemCharger]

Have a look on kijiji

 

[MoPar~Man]

@KevinW Yes I'm looking at the Orange Vevor units on ebay, I'm seeing the 12 ton unit for $164 (CAD) so with tax I guess $185 and it's free shipping. Were you able to push the old bearings off the axle with your press? If so then I might have to get the taller 12-ton unit instead of the shorter 6-ton.

@RemCharger I did look on Kijiji, no presses within 20 km from me. I checked kiji first, then PA, then ebay. The ebay prices for the Vevor, with free shipping, look good actually.

 

[KevinW]

I had to cut the bearings off using a dremel tool and a 1 1/2” fine reinforced fibre cutting wheel. First cut the cage off, the rollers fall out and you’re left with the hub. Slice it carefully with the dremel then give a couple of blows with a hammer and screwdriver and it’ll split allowing it to slide off easily. It is almost impossible to get them off any other way, the interference fit is far too tight to pull them off. I do have pullers and attempted to, but after seeing a few you tubers using the dremel that was clearly the best way to go. As a side note, I’ve never seen eBay offer free shipping to Canada from the US, usually it’s only free to 48 states from my experience.

 

[MoPar~Man]

I had to cut the bearings off using a dremel tool and a 1 1/2” fine reinforced fibre cutting wheel. First cut the cage off, the rollers fall out and you’re left with the hub. Slice it carefully with the dremel then give a couple of blows with a hammer and screwdriver and it’ll split allowing it to slide off easily. It is almost impossible to get them off any other way, the interference fit is far too tight to pull them off. I do have pullers and attempted to, but after seeing a few you tubers using the dremel that was clearly the best way to go. As a side note, I’ve never seen eBay offer free shipping to Canada from the US, usually it’s only free to 48 states from my experience.

Ok. I saw your first pic of the shaft on the press and it looked like it was set up to push the bearing off.

On ebay.ca the Vevor presses are listed as being located in "Richmond Canada" so maybe they've already been off-loaded into a port in BC. And it says free standard UPS shipping Canada.

 

[RemCharger]

Here's my 12T PA press I got probably 10 yrs ago. Kinda springy, but works in a pinch. Back in the day when necessary, we'd just pound them on with suitable pipe and BFH