Transfer Case Bearings

[YukonRog]

Anyone ever replace the two bearing that are pressed on their Transfer Case without using a press? Like a big vice, or blocks and hammer?

 

[exp500]

Heat them in hot oil, work fast! An old bearing with slot cut makes perfect removable driver.

 

[YukonRog]

Heat them in hot oil, work fast! An old bearing with slot cut makes perfect removable driver.

What slot cut do you make? I thought about knocking out the old bearing and using it as a driver.

 

[George B]

Give us some pics of what your working with.

 

[YukonRog]

Okay, here's the 3 that need pressing. For what local shops have quoted me I can buy an adequate 1 ton Arbor Press from Harbor Freight. And then I can have one on hand for my Harley Twin Cam's Cam Plate! Although I'm still tempted to just start hammering.

 

[YukonRog]

Also.....the new front output shaft large bearing is sealed (left with snap ring). The OEM one (right side with plastic cage!) isn't. I saw a video where one guy removed the seals so it would get more lubrication. What's your thoughts on that?

 

[exp500]

Post#6 - those are different bearings. Measure and inspect closely. Remove seals.

 

[YukonRog]

Post#6 - those are different bearings. Measure and inspect closely. Remove seals.

They're the same size. The sealed one is made in China and has the snap ring on it so it may appear larger. I kinda get why it's sealed, it's right behind the end shaft seal and any moisture from the end seal would take it out quick. Did I mention the OE open bearing was real noisy? But yeah, with seals it's not benefiting from the fluid. Then again, the sealed wheel bearings on Harley's can go for 100,000 miles.

 

[exp500]

I can't read all the numbers to check, but appears to be ball vs roller.

 

[rockola1971]

I always just knock the bearings out and new ones in with bearing driver kit. Throw bearings in the freezer the night before and once you are ready to install grab one and work fast. I would NOT put those made in China bearings in that Tcase! You have any idea what happens when a output shaft bearing lets go and busts lose out of its race area? It will not be pretty and will be costly!

 

[YukonRog]

View attachment 349237
Also.....the new front output shaft large bearing is sealed (left with snap ring). The OEM one (right side with plastic cage!) isn't. I saw a video where one guy removed the seals so it would get more lubrication. What's your thoughts on that?

Correction, that's the tailshaft bearing. The one with the big snap ring you have to access through the slot in order to remove the back case. The new snap ring doesn't have the bent out "tails".

 

[YukonRog]

I can't read all the numbers to check, but appears to be ball vs roller.

They're both ball. The USA bearing has a plastic cage and the Chinese one has a steel cage. I removed the seals and packed them with grease. Couldn't use that closed gap snap ring though.

 

[exp500]

So now you want to change the lubrication style? Hope you don't contaminate your Tcase fluid and wreck the whole thing.So what grease did you use and is it conpatible with Tcase fluid? If you used lithium based start over for sure. BTW, those cheap seals aren't meant to be submerged in oil,they will leak. They do make bearings you could do that with, but quite expensive.
You may just be overthinking this too much. Use whats proven to work.

 

[YukonRog]

Okay, here's the 3 that need pressing. For what local shops have quoted me I can buy an adequate 1 ton Arbor Press from Harbor Freight. And then I can have one on hand for my Harley Twin Cam's Cam Plate! Although I'm still tempted to just start hammering.

There's actually 5 that needed pressing. Got a great deal on a HF 12 Ton Press. Made it super easy and fun!

 

[YukonRog]

So now you want to change the lubrication style? Hope you don't contaminate your Tcase fluid and wreck the whole thing.So what grease did you use and is it conpatible with Tcase fluid? If you used lithium based start over for sure. BTW, those cheap seals aren't meant to be submerged in oil,they will leak. They do make bearings you could do that with, but quite expensive.
You may just be overthinking this too much. Use whats proven to work.

I did what YouTube's Eddie Current did in his Gear Box videos. Blue Goo and removed the seals. Changing it would be installing that sealed bearing. It had nearly zero grease in it when I removed the seals.