Pinion bearing install - hydraulic press NOT needed!

I have always used a hydraulic press to install pinion bearings but this weekend, I found myself in my home garage, void of a press. I have heard of this technique where you freeze the pinion and heat up the bearing. So, I let the pinion hang out in the freezer over night and heated up the bearing in the oven for 5 minutes at 350 degrees. And here are the results....
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[@ks0309]

at the milled i worked at, we have a bearing heater to install Timken bearings. heat oven to around 250 -300 degrees with bearing inside about 20 min. if it doesn't drop right on, put back in oven again

[@privatedata665]

Worked at a GM dealer as a Tech for decades . We received a special Pontiac tool from Kent Moore . A counter top toaster oven and the intended use was to heat bearings for installing on transmissions shafts ....worked well too .

[@moderate_performance]

That is too funny! Gotta love the Kent Moore "special tools"!

[@reesemartin3285]

Would have tried garlic bread in it at least once.

[@jimsperlakis5634]

You should add "To hold down tight for a minute" just incase the shim is not exactly flat. The shop bent the cage with the press last time. I'm going to Do it your way on my Z28 7.625" pinion soon.

[@alexking7719]

Automotive baking... love it!

[@mikimiki195]

Wow that’s crazy must try 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@ks0309]

I heated up my ring gear to put on carrier. just need to support carrier up on wood so you can start one bolt on ring gear to line up bolt pattern. do a practice run first ,

[@adrenalinehigh2070]

Hahahahahaha the NASA guy is trying out internet tricks 😂and he was stoked!😅

[@timbabeu2005]

Now try putting parts in the break room fridge and toaster oven. Coworkers don't always appreciate that...

[@moderate_performance]

I can see how that might be a problem.
Might test out the dishwasher and see how well it works as a parts washer. I don't think my wife will mind.....

[@richardshort3914]

@@moderate_performance
Uhmmmm.... That's why I'm divorced.
--Just sayin'.

[@curtislovering3522]

Well done mate 👍

[@moderate_performance]

Thanks 👍

[@curtislovering3522]

I’ve just done same as you 😃😃.
Oh except I used jerk seasoning
Cheers again
Curt👍👍👍

[@moderate_performance]

Going with a spicy gear set! I like it 👍🏻

[@dsauce8780]

So I can tell you this doesn’t go as swell with the carrier. Much less press force was needed tho once hot. I also could be a clumsy b and canted it just right both times trying to drop on. Finishing prepping this grizz locker for my pop’s Mercury marauder that some local shop completely effed the preload and back lash on wrecking the gears and bearings.

[@moderate_performance]

Sorry to hear your shop messed up your diff. That sucks! Setting up a diff is one of my least favorite things to do. Messing with shims to get the right pattern and preload is so time consuming.

[@iroulis]

I hope you got the shims set up for the proper depth there turbo.

[@moderate_performance]

I will admit, I did just reuse the pinion shim from the original set up, but it worked out ok. Tooth pattern was right where it should be.

[@iroulis]

@@moderate_performance Worked great using an Air Fryer for 10min at 350F to heat the bearing. Used a Thermo to read the temps. Pinion was at 39F and Bearing was at 250F. Bearing slid right on just like your vid. 10 Bolt Chevy 7-5/8 BTW.

[@titofernandezmeirino9832]

And what about to remove the bearing without a press? Thank you for your answer.

[@moderate_performance]

A cut off wheel is probably the only way to remove the bearing without a press. Cut through the cage and the race. I have had to cut through the race before.

[@puppythief704]

There are pinion bearing pullers on ebay for about $40 they only require a half inch socket wrench to use

[@nodriveknowitall702]

@@puppythief704 Post a link to one.

[@iroulis]

@@moderate_performance I used an air hammer for the carrier bearings. Cut through the cage: Hammer the race out on the outboard lip.

[@moderate_performance]

Air hammers can solve a lot of problems!

[@SilverBullet93GT]

awesome cooking show
can you put the recipe in the description lol

[@moderate_performance]

Done! Preheat oven to 350F. Bake bearing for 5 mins. Season to taste!

[@SilverBullet93GT]

@@moderate_performance i can already smell the packing grease. yum

[@BackyardGarage1]

This is awesome! Now how do we get it off without destroying it when the shim is not the right size? That is the real question.

[@moderate_performance]

The only option I know of is destroying the bearing. They do make an installation bearing which will slide on and off no problem. However, the diffs that I have rebuilt have been just fine using the shim that was in there previously.

[@stormwolfgames6636]

Grind out the old bearing so it slips over the pinion then mock set it up and get your depth measurements. Then you can put the right shims on and install the new bearing.

[@moderate_performance]

Yes sir. I haven't had to work on many differentials but maybe the next diff I will actually worry about pinion depth lol

[@therealgaragegirls]

Science, yo! 😅❤️

[@dl7180]

Bake at 350 for how long

[@moderate_performance]

350 for 5 minutes.... Or until golden brown.... Salt and pepper to taste...

[@broncobart4354]

🤣@@moderate_performance

[@TransAminal]

Lol my wife would shit her pants if I did that

[@moderate_performance]

LOL my wife must be very understanding cause she was the one filming!!

[@TransAminal]

@@moderate_performance does she have a sister ?
😂

[@moderate_performance]

😂😂

[@Mohamedseddek]

👍👌👌👌❤️

[@cesargutierrez8578]

You should be working for nasa

[@moderate_performance]

where do you think I got the hoodie? ;) thx