Hydraulic Shop Press

[John_Heard]

I'm getting the stuff I need to setup rear end gears myself and need to get me a press for the pinion bearing (9" Ford). Anyone know how big of a press is needed for doing those? Don't have a lot of wall space so I'm not looking to get a huge press. Majority of what I'll be doing with it is pressing bearings on and off (Pinion and axle bearings).

[David Lemmond]

I believe mine is a 12 ton. I'll look when I get there. Don't forget to get you a good bearing splitter and some of the heavy steel pressing spacers.

[John_Heard]

Good idea... I've been looking at a 20 ton model from Northern Hyd. ought to do the job looks like.

[ERV JR]

a harbor freight press would work fine for some home use once in a while

[dadnova]

I have the 20 ton from harbor freight, no bigger then the 12ton really, havent found anything yet it wont move.
Have done several rear ends and front A arm bushings with it.

[Dave Koehler]

Save a buck or 2? I either polish or grind the pinion bearing surface in a crank grinder so the bearing just goes on and off with a slight push.

[evil16v]

Save a buck or 2? I either polish or grind the pinion bearing surface in a crank grinder so the bearing just goes on and off with a slight push.

x2.... that's what i did the last time with my 12 bolt. I hone out the inner race of the pinion bearing so it just slid on. found my shims and put a new bearing on and checked everything again. Very handy tip dave has there!

And by the way 12 tons would do what you want. we have a 20 ton at work but is a little over kill for most things.