I need to replace the front wheel bearings on my 2005 Toyota Tacoma 4x4. The bearings need to be pressed in. I don't own a press.
I can appreciate the power advantage of a shop press, but I'd rather not give up the necessary floor space. Can this job be tackled with an arbor press?
In either case, Harbor Freight will play a major role.
One of these little guys?
No way in hell. I doubt a knuckle would fit in the throat of one. Then you would be attaching a 5 foot breaker to the handle and at that point you would be breaking any thing you tried to bolt the arbor press to.
Wrong tool for the job I am afraid.
Maybe this?
http://www.harborfreight.com/fwd-front-wheel-bearing-adapters-66829.html
Though I must say life really is easier when you can just walk across the shop and put 20-30 tons of force on whatever wont move.
Okay, disregard.
I'm buying bearing assemblies instead.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2005-2012-Toyota-Tacoma-4X4-complete-Front-Wheel-Hub-bearing-assembly-/121150237066?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item1c351de98a&vxp=mtr
Woody wrote: I need to replace the front wheel bearings on my 2005 Toyota Tacoma 4x4. The bearings need to be pressed in. I don't own a press.
Are you sure? I'm looking at Rockauto and I see front hub bearing assemblies that bolt in for 4WD... But it's not clear.
If the bearing does need to be pressed into the hub carrier, a FWD type bearing tool kit should work. I've read about good results using the H-F version.
Woody wrote: Okay, disregard. I'm buying bearing assemblies instead. http://www.ebay.com/itm/2005-2012-Toyota-Tacoma-4X4-complete-Front-Wheel-Hub-bearing-assembly-/121150237066?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item1c351de98a&vxp=mtr
Holy crap! And I thought MINI hub assemblies were expensive. 
I did a little digging and found that the "hub" assembly that the aftermarket (and probably toyota) sells is a bearing pressed into a bolt on flange without a wheel hub. I think that also looking it the pics that all he has done is taken the misc pieces and boxed them together. I do have the wheel bearing module available but then you'd need a press.
Ask the ebay seller if they come assembled already or if some assembly is required.
buy press or not, take it to a automotive machine shop, can't be that expensive
For the money saved on not buying one assembly and using a press instead, you can buy a HF or used craigslist press, and have a free 20 ton press! If you are doing both you effectively made $200 installing a press in your garage!
fasted58 wrote: buy press or not, take it to a automotive machine shop, can't be that expensive
Do this. Just this Saturday I took two spindles to have old bearings pressed out and new pressed in. Only cost $20.
If you decide to flagrantly ignore everyone's advice, the only press to buy at Harbor Fright is the (preposterously fraudulently rated) "20 ton" model.
I've had one going on 10 years and provided your setup is solid it's surprising what it'll get done. Also, when it's working ~really~ hard, I stand to the side behind a big slab of 1/4" steel plate, and I've been known to put of an old helmet w/ the face shield down. If it failed at max effort it would be spectacular.
Been more than a few years now but after a half dozen automotive/ tool auctions I finally scored a barely used made in USA shop press (China 60000# bottle jack 
) for $110. Priceless for bearings, races, U-joints etc. I think the universe/ automotive gods took pity on me and handed me this one. Most of the time anymore it's just a shelf for parts overflow but it's there when I need it, would never be without it now tho.
Before this I had no problem shelling out a few bills for the shop to do the work. Not familiar w/ the HF presses but if it or any others are a good deal enough you will not want to be w/o one, that is if you require it's use a lot.
I went in the other day to look at the HF press because its still on sale. I was surprised how short it is.
Whole sale tool has a nice 20t unit USA made frame and china jack. Not too expensive. I stand off to the side and use a long handle when pushing real hard. I also own an arbor press great for bushings and speedy sleeves.
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