How hard to install bearings

desgre90

Member
Jun 26, 2009
219
4
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I am curious to see how hard it is to install bearings. I plan to replace the four main trans bearings, 2 balancer bearings, and the two crank bearings. Just need to decide whether to tackle this or not. I don't think I will have a problem getting the bearings out if i bought the harbor freight puller. It is just a matter of making sure when installing the bearings that they are straight. Is this one thing you would consider taking to a shop to have done? Or am I making this a bigger deal than it needs to be.

Thanks in advance,
Greg
 
kinda all depends on how mechanically inclined u are... its really not a beginner type of job, but then again u have....blasterforum..everything u need to know about the this job is here and plenty of us can guide u through it, ask all the ?? u need man
 
kinda all depends on how mechanically inclined u are... its really not a beginner type of job, but then again u have....blasterforum..everything u need to know about the this job is here and plenty of us can guide u through it, ask all the ?? u need man

Thanks I appreciate it. I have already tossed up a few threads lately and there will be plenty more to come. I already tore down the engine and found a ton of bad stuff. Had to find a new crank case side. Tore that one down and cleaned it. placed an order today for the lower end.. (parts and tools $477.25). I bought the crank installer so putting it together shouldn't be an issue. I plan to do everything myself except these bearings have me wondering. I called a local shop and he quoted $58 to install the bearings at an hr's labor. Doesn't sound too bad imho, considering ill have to pay $35 for the bearing puller itself and that doesn't solve the problem of install. Hmm..
 
for me i'd think about having the shop do it for that kind of money, save yourself the hassle. i'm all for doing stuff yourself but sometimes it's just easier to let someone else do it lol
 
all i did on mine is the crank bearings, i left the engine cases in the oven at like 300 degrees for 5-10 minutes, and then dropped the frozen bearings pretty much right in, i had to give them a little tap with the hammer to get them all the way in though
 
some of the bearings in the blaster are a B***H to get out.. Aluminium expands more than steel when heated, so heating the case will make removal and installation much easier. You need a "blind bearing puller" to get at some of the bearings. You can and should freeze all the bearings to put them in, make sure you spray the bearings with oil so that the condensation that forms on them when u take them out of the freezer does not make them rust! The best way to heat parts is really using a hot oil bath, but an oven is just as good if you dont mind some tranny oil in ur cookies.. with the case at about 250 F and frozen bearings, they will go right in, just tap the outer race to make sure their seated properly.

If ur not worried about the guy possibly not doing it right, then get the tool, and some more experience under ur belt.
 
If ur not worried about the guy possibly not doing it right, then get the tool, and some more experience under ur belt.

If I was paying a shop to install the bearings, then I wouldn't be worried about him installing them. I think this is one spot I would rather not short cut. Heck I just dropped another $477.25 for more parts and tools just for the bottom end so I really don't want to short cut since I am in this deep, on top of buying this bottom end, and buying a new crank case side because the one I tore apart was cracked. As far as experience goes... I have plenty of experience wrenching on my truck, just not a four wheeler.

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I think I am doing just fine so far tearing it down. If it was only the crank bearings I would do them myself ( I already knocked the old crank bearings out), but even you said yourself that the other bearings can be a B***H. I have decided that when my bearings come in I will just take it to the shop and have the bearings installed only, and i'll take care of the rest. Thanks for the help / information everyone.