So I need to press out a bearing. I am not adding yet another Harbor Freight tool to my collection for one operation. To my eye, all they offer is a frame to put a bottle jack in. I have a bottle jack or two. And I have a welder. And questionable sense. I should be able to fab something for temporary use right? Anyone else ever do this? I am thinking I could even chain the hub the base of a floor jack and pop the bearing out.
for a one shot deal take it to a shop
Two metal cups (big sockets?), threaded rod, air gun.
I'll send you a bill.
Take it to a shop or just get a BFH and a unloved socket.
If you have a welder, you can run a bead on the inside of the outer race and it will shrink and pretty much fall right out.
No charge.
bearmtnmartin wrote: If you have a welder, you can run a bead on the inside of the outer race and it will shrink and pretty much fall right out. No charge.
that works? I got a bearing that is giving me nothing but issues to pull out will have to giv ethis a try
Make sure though it's a press out bearing. 
I fought with one for the upper & lower control arms of the 1987 Dodge 3/4 ton that was under my '52 body.
Hydraulics, torches, BFH, it fought me all the way. I won.
When it's carboned up little body left a blood trail and smoke plume across the floor I noticed the fine threads on the outside diameter.
I'm schmarter now.
I've gone back and forth with buying a press. The last time I did bushings, I took the control arms to the shop I use for alignments. $40 and zero effort later, I was happy with the lazy approach. YMMV.
GrantMLS wrote:bearmtnmartin wrote: If you have a welder, you can run a bead on the inside of the outer race and it will shrink and pretty much fall right out. No charge.that works? I got a bearing that is giving me nothing but issues to pull out will have to giv ethis a try
OK, maybe I can set up a paypal account for you all.
Live in the country?
Got a log splitter?
Yup, I've gone there...
Nothing like a engine driven 60-ish ton (from memory) hydraulic press.
Was replacing the bearings on my camber plates and wondering how I would get the old ones out and had an epiphany.
I built one with my neighbor a couple years ago while I was trying to replace the bearings on his van. It's very redneck, and bench-top, so somewhat limited in use. But it works fine. Use heavier steel than you think you need, make sure your welds are good, and weld everything from both sides.
I could only see DIY building one being worthwhile if you have a lot of steel channel laying about in addition to the time and welding confidence. If you have to buy any significant amount of materials, buying a used one or a H-F one will likely be cheaper.
The main thing that has stopped me from buying one is I refuse to get one that can't do axle bearings, so it would need to be roughly 6' tall (4' working height) and have about an 8" throat.
Use common sense; if it seems like a bad idea, it probably is.
It's easy, but it does take a bit of time. I've probably built a half dozen by now, so if you decide to do it, and want some tips and dimensions, let me know.
rotard wrote: Use common sense; if it seems like a bad idea, it probably is.
you're no fun..
OMG! I have a manual hydraulic log splitter, which is essentially a hydraulic press on its side!!! It will totally work perfectly. Apexcarver, you are a god among men. I will have to photograph this one.
hit the auctions, they're out there for the right money, that's how I bought mine
Please don't WELD a press together. The critical parts should be bolt/pin/channel sections only so you can be sure of the material properties. I promise, you don't want to find out how good/bad your weld is with 30,000 lbs of force.
Bryce
pinchvalve wrote: OMG! I have a manual hydraulic log splitter, which is essentially a hydraulic press on its side!!! It will totally work perfectly. Apexcarver, you are a god among men. I will have to photograph this one.
Should have seen me out in the driveway with my motor driven hydraulic one doing the camber plates! Was easy-peasy.
I am posting this for Apexcarver: I drove out a bearing with a log splitter! There were many, many challenges to doing this, and in the end I only did it for the moral victory. A local shop will be removing the other side and pressing in the new ones.
The hydraulic ram had plenty of power, and the frame was plenty strong enough. The issue was balancing the hub against the v-shaped wedge and still having clearance behind the hub for the bearing to slide out. (see that metal plate bend?)
The other issue was sourcing something that was the right dimensions and strength to push against the bearing. The bearing is round, has a hole in the center, and is only 4mm narrower than the surrounding hub. Ugh. I ground down a black-iron "T" fitting until it was the right size, but it bent on first use.
The bottom line is that it can be done, but is something that is better to take to a shop.
914Driver wrote: Make sure though it's a press out bearing.
I am so happy that I am not the only one with this type story. Mine involves the screw in pistons on 914 rear calipers; thank dog we came to our senses before something exploded.
A co worker used to say 'nothing will withstand a combination of brute force and gross ignorance'. 
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