Which tool to buy...

[Cudajas]

I need to do the wheel bearings on my Saturn (again, third time).

I do not want to pay a shop to press the bearings in and out again, so it looks like I have two options:

1 - buy a FWD wheel bearing tool

http://www.harborfreight.com/fwd-front-wheel-bearing-adapters-66829.html

This will get the job done but has limited application.

I will not need an alignment using this tool (although I am getting new snow tires next week, so I probably should get an alignment)

2 - buy a 12 ton shop press

http://www.harborfreight.com/12-ton-shop-press-33497.html

or

http://www.harborfreight.com/12-ton-a-frame-industrial-heavy-duty-floor-shop-press-1667.html

Pro, has other applications.

Con, would need an alignment and possibly some spacers etc. to press the wheel bearings.

That, and I have never used a press before.

As you can see the options are all relatively the same in price.

So, what tool do you think I should buy???

Jason

 

[toolslut6.0]

Buy the press. Get a few bearing splitters. And use some scrap steel as "as add ons" to the press for your needs. Presses are a great tool when used properly.

 

[mykvr6]

I have the wheel bearing set. Bought it awhile back to do wheel bearings on my GTI I had at the time. Dang I don't remember it being that expensive though! It worked for me, but thats all I've used it for.

 

[kctyphoon]

I have the fwd bearing press kit.. Used if for the bearing in my crv. Worked great, one advantage is you can do the bearing with the knuckle still on the car.. That's why I went with the kit and not the press.. That and space

 

[BD1]

For a few bucks more you can get the 20 ton. Use a 25% off coupon and it drops another $50 to $150.00.
http://www.harborfreight.com/20-ton-shop-press-60603.html

It will be in the January sale paper for $160.00 , Jan 9-11, before 25% off coupon.
Here's where a member posted about it.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=271360

 

[wild cowboy]

For a few bucks more you can get the 20 ton. Use a 25% off coupon and it drops another $50 to $150.00.
http://www.harborfreight.com/20-ton-shop-press-60603.html

It will be in the January sale paper for $160.00 , Jan 9-11, before 25% off coupon.
Here's where a member posted about it.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=271360

This, exactly! - their 20 ton is much better built than their 12 ton, and not much difference in price after 25% coupon making it $150.

Not sure you will be able to get 25% off the $160 though, they don't go for coupon stacking!

 

[619DioFan]

I have the wheel bearing kit from HF. works well ( make sure to lube the drive screw well ) you will need a slide hammer and hub puller attachment to remove the hub first. your local parts store may have this tool on a for loan plan , saving you from buying one. if you plan on doing other repair jobs in the future then investing in a 20 ton press is worth it as they can be used for a variety of repairs. use my press all the time.

 

[Cudajas]

I have the wheel bearing kit from HF. works well ( make sure to lube the drive screw well ) you will need a slide hammer and hub puller attachment to remove the hub first. your local parts store may have this tool on a for loan plan , saving you from buying one. if you plan on doing other repair jobs in the future then investing in a 20 ton press is worth it as they can be used for a variety of repairs. use my press all the time.

Oh yeah...our local loan a tool program is on a hiatus...they are replacing all the tools, and have none for loan right now. I missed out on buying the tools I need.

Thanks for the tip on the 20 ton press, great deal. I am just not sure I can wait that long to do my bearings.

I am also thinking of this one...

http://www.princessauto.com/en/deta...dStore=true&startingAddress=n3h2r1&storeId=15

any of my Canadian friends have any input??

 

[wild cowboy]

Thanks for the tip on the 20 ton press, great deal. I am just not sure I can wait that long to do my bearings.

you can get the deal on the 25% off $199 = $150 right now

coupon is in harbor freight coupon thread in hot deals section here on the forum

 

[panknuckshovel]

you can get the deal on the 25% off $199 = $150 right now

coupon is in harbor freight coupon thread in hot deals section here on the forum

OP is in Canada, that makes a wrinkle for the whole Harbor Freight thing.

 

[Cudajas]

you can get the deal on the 25% off $199 = $150 right now

coupon is in harbor freight coupon thread in hot deals section here on the forum

ohhhhh, thanks checking it out now!

Jason

 

[Cudajas]

OP is in Canada, that makes a wrinkle for the whole Harbor Freight thing.

that's true...but the OP, that's me...is headed to Niagara Falls tomorrow AM to pick up some kick *** Cuda parts and hot wheels, and should have time for a side trip to HF, once his very understanding wife is done Xmass shopping at the outlet mall!!!!



Jason

 

[bcradio]

They have HF in Canada now? How come we don't get princess auto down here then?

Edit nevermind, you answered my question

 

[browntown]

Every time I think about buying a shop press I tell myself having bearings and bushing pushed in costs me about 40$ every time I do it, and that it will never be cost effective to put yet another space robber in the garage. Then I tried to pull the rear bearings off my e30 and after an hour of cursing and sweating with a slide hammer, I paid a shop 40 bucks and they even cleaned my trailing arms in their hot tank for me.

However, I covet the BJP-1 and wonder if it could do your bearing as well.

Good luck, buy as big as your budget and space can allow. Personally, I'm waiting for an old arbor press to show up on CL (I might be waiting a long time) to do bushings and stuff.

 

[panknuckshovel]

that's true...but the OP, that's me...is headed to Niagara Falls tomorrow AM to pick up some kick *** Cuda parts and hot wheels, and should have time for a side trip to HF, once his very understanding wife is done Xmass shopping at the outlet mall!!!!



Jason

Wrinkle ironed out, smuggle on.
If you can get away with the 12 ton it is $97 after coupon

 

[theluke]

I just use a bearing race and seal driver kit. $30 at pep boys.

 

[nicksnothereman]

I need to do the wheel bearings on my Saturn (again, third time).

I do not want to pay a shop to press the bearings in and out again, so it looks like I have two options:

1 - buy a FWD wheel bearing tool

http://www.harborfreight.com/fwd-front-wheel-bearing-adapters-66829.html

This will get the job done but has limited application.

I will not need an alignment using this tool (although I am getting new snow tires next week, so I probably should get an alignment)

2 - buy a 12 ton shop press

http://www.harborfreight.com/12-ton-shop-press-33497.html

or

http://www.harborfreight.com/12-ton-a-frame-industrial-heavy-duty-floor-shop-press-1667.html

Pro, has other applications.

Con, would need an alignment and possibly some spacers etc. to press the wheel bearings.

That, and I have never used a press before.

As you can see the options are all relatively the same in price.

So, what tool do you think I should buy???

Jason

I'd say buy the press but a lot of those old saturns aren't worth that much. Maybe switch for something easier to work on. Don't know how reliable the car is might be worth keeping might not.

Do cavaliers or sunfires have press in bearings or hubs?

All things considered get the press if you do a lot of random stuff.

 

[steveo3002]

ive got the fwd tool , pretty good and im happy with it , although i paid nearer $50 from ebay

 

[sac02]

As mentioned, the 20 ton is a better press, and not much more expensive.

That said, I bought one and don't use it as much as I thought. For how much floor space it is taking up in my garage, I'm thinking of selling it on CL. Whenever I need something pressed (couple times a year) I'll just pay a local machine shop 20 bucks. I'd rather have the floor space in my garage.

 

[Cudajas]

New wrinkle, was at HF today and the only 20 ton press they had in stock was the old orange frame model, which they could not find the jack for. So....no press for me. I was told the new silver frame model is the one to get. Not sure if i will wait until next month or buy the 6ton at princess auto.


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[Cudajas]

bump?