Do I need to hammer the bearings on?

[Andres2882]

Putting new rotors on my car and decided to replace the seal and the bearings as well. They don't seem to want to just slide on. Am I supposed to have to hammer them?

 

[rd]

The new rotors will need the bearing races installed, either by press or hammer.

With a hammer, put a slight coating of grease on the outside of the race, set them square on the rotor and tap in carefully, trying to stay as square as possible.
I would use a block of wood between the race and the hammer. Make sure you get them in the right way.

 

[jaackal]

i know that the rotors that i ever bought came with the races already pressed so check before you do that, and the bearings do not get hammered in, just the seal lightly

 

[Michael Yount]

If the bearings won't slide right on, something is wrong....

 

[webshot]

The bearings should slide in easily. I used a 2x4 to pop in my seal. I just changed my rotors and bearings last night. Be sure that you pack the bearings. Also I used the race that came with my rotors and not the one that came with my bearings. But for you it may be vice versa.

Today rear drums *sigh*

Also be sure that if your car is a GT converted from a LX that you have the right seal. Seemed to be a difference in my case between a LX and GT seal.

Also dont hammer the bearings, you could pop em, also dont tight the bolt under that cap too tight when re-assembling (learned that the hard way, way back)

 

[Andres2882]

My problem is not getting the bearings into the rotor, and yes the rotors do already have the races in them. My problem is that the bearings dont seem to want to slide onto the spindle.

 

[webshot]

When you say slide on the spindle are you referring to the entire rotor with the bearings and seal already installed? If the bearing hole is too small the you have the wrong bearings. It should slide on relatively easy but you do have to wiggle the rotor to get it to pop in at the very ed sometimes.

BTW, you dont need a hammer at all when doing brakes. Well maybe to pop the cap back on but nothing else.

 

[Andres2882]

Yup, I got the SS lines, the new caliper and the new rotor with seal and bearings on the driver's side in like 20 minutes. Maybe I'll try and sand the right side spindle a bit to ease it on there.

 

[jaackal]

do you have 2 different sized bearings, i forget which one goes where but u should have 1 smaller one and one bigger one i think the bigger one go in the back