04 GC, has anyone here tried heating the rear axle bearing in an oven to install it onto the axle, instead of using a press?
Do you need to pack the bearing before installation?

 

Pack the bearing, Yes. I know they come pre greased, but you can never use too much bearing grease on them.

Don't know about installing on a GC, but on my 8.25 I used the old bearing and gave it quite a few light tappy taps... Just grind the old bearing so it doesn't get locked in... I used a dremmel to make the old bearing loose.

 

So not even pressed on too tight?

 

heating the bearing wont help you. metal expands when it gets hot. if anything you'd want to put the bearing in the freezer

 

I think hi will place the bearings on the axle, not into the housing. bearing in oven and axle in the freezer.

 

I believe he's talking about the full caged bearing the presses onto the axle. You COULD find a piece of pipe big enough to slide over the axle itself and long enough to extend beyond the splines. Use a BMFH and drive it on. As long as everything is clean, it should work. Grease if afterwards. If it gets dirty, wash it first, then grease it. The pipe must hit the inner race, NOT the ***** or outer race.

 

I stuck my axle into the freezer for about an hour, luckily I have a freezer in the garage. As for packing the bearing ---- yes. Manual say to pack, I didn't my first try,
replace it three months later, the outer race had split.