Bushing replacement using heat and refrigeration?

[PandaBear]

I was on hondatech a while back and notice many people use a torch to burn the old bushing, then saw the outer metal ring of the remaining bushing and freeze the new bushing to fit it in. I'm wondering if this is a common way for people to do bushing replacement without using a shop press.

Will ball joint press with the appropriate bushing cups be sufficient? Will freezing the bushings to fit in the control arms damage the bushing?

 

[beast3300]

I have never heard of this freezer technique. Usually air hammer the sleeve out, press new bushing in.

 

[river_rat]

I've done it. Used to use liquid nitrogen at work for stainless steel, but have used a regular freezer and moderate heat at home for bearing races, crankshaft gears and such.

 

[eljefino]

I did this with a saturn wheel bearing, and wound up heating what I had to heat on my barbecue up to 500 degrees to have any affect. Had to handle with welding gloves. Serious business. A bushing should go easier, famous last words?

 

[spasm3]

Originally Posted By: eljefino
I did this with a saturn wheel bearing, and wound up heating what I had to heat on my barbecue up to 500 degrees to have any affect. Had to handle with welding gloves. Serious business. A bushing should go easier, famous last words?


WOW , i had a hard time changing saturn wheel bearings and i have a 12 ton press!!!!! Incredible that you did it without one!

 

[oilboy123]

Yes heating or freezing can be a viable technique. I'm not an expert but have done things to get jobs done over the years.

 

[Ducati996]

I worked in the development of the transmission of the Bradley Fighting Vehicle transmission and we used liquid nitrogen to cool parts and an oven to heat the part receiving it to +300 degrees.
This allowed quick easy assembly with no force.
Assembly needed to be quick and precise otherwise the part could get stuck.
300 degrees is the accepted max because it will not damage bearings or seals.
Cooling or heating tapered roller bearings is ok but never cool ball bearings in liquid nitrogen. This will stress the ball bearing assembly and it may shatter or at the least have a very short life.


Tim

 

[oilboy123]

Originally Posted By: Ducati996
I worked in the development of the transmission of the Bradley Fighting Vehicle transmission and we used liquid nitrogen to cool parts and an oven to heat the part receiving it to +300 degrees.
This allowed quick easy assembly with no force.
Assembly needed to be quick and precise otherwise the part could get stuck.
300 degrees is the accepted max because it will not damage bearings or seals.
Cooling or heating tapered roller bearings is ok but never cool ball bearings in liquid nitrogen. This will stress the ball bearing assembly and it may shatter or at the least have a very short life.


Tim
Interesting about the bearings. Why only the ball bearings?

 

[MarkM66]

I tried freezing bushings in a regular freezer before, it didn't appear to aid any.

No way they would of went in without pressing.