Did I ruin this pinion bearing?

[Toad455]

I'm rebuilding my 12 bolt and I just put the new bearing on the pinion gear. I put the pinion in the freezer for about an hour, then put the bearing on a hot plate for just a few minutes. It heated up very quick and started smoking (burning off residue oil I guess), I turned off the heat but the rollers turned a light blue/purple. I went ahead and put the bearing on which fell right on but my question is: Does the blue affect the integrity of the bearing? I probably shouldn't have heated it up in the first place. I do have a press but wanted to try this method for some reason. Here's a pic: Thanks,

 

[squaredeal91]

Ive done this before. Once when welded up a rear end I cooked those bearings good! and I remember buying new bearings.
I don't think you got yours as hot as I did but they still turned color.
Hopefully someone else has an opinion like maybe Karen or someone.

 

[squaredeal91]

Can you rub the discoloration off with scotch Brite?

 

[legopnuematic]

I’d be suspicious of it at a minimum. The color suggests about 520-550°f.

It may not have “cooked” long enough to through temper the rollers, a new pinion bearing is cheap insurance.

 

[squaredeal91]

I’d be suspicious of it at a minimum. The color suggests about 520-550°f.

It may not have “cooked” long enough to through temper the rollers, a new pinion bearing is cheap insurance.

Agreed. We'll said

 

[Toad455]

I’d be suspicious of it at a minimum. The color suggests about 520-550°f.

It may not have “cooked” long enough to through temper the rollers, a new pinion bearing is cheap insurance.

Right, I got another on the way, better now and be sure than pay later and regret not spending 30 bux, lol.

 

[DoubleDingo]

I wouldn't trust it, glad you're replacing it

 

[squaredeal91]

Tappy tap tap

 

[DoubleDingo]

Tappy tap tap

With the pinion cold, tapping it on should be a breeze

 

[legopnuematic]

Tappy tap tap

Pressy press press

 

[Toad455]

Pressy press press

I got that exact press and didn't use it. I'm machining a pipe to fit today at work.

 

[Craig Nedrow]

I have an old electric skillet. I use it all the time put it on 350. Do what you did pinion the freezer. It won’t hurt and it will drop right on however, if you want to press it and you don’t have to press, you could always use a piece of pipe about the same inside diameter as the outside diameter of your opinion just pop it on there

 

[Ricko1966]

I use the oven and freezer quite commonly for changing bearings . Use the oven next time it will give you better temperature control. The bearings practically fall in place.

 

[Toad455]

I'm rebuilding my 12 bolt and I just put the new bearing on the pinion gear. I put the pinion in the freezer for about an hour, then put the bearing on a hot plate for just a few minutes. It heated up very quick and started smoking (burning off residue oil I guess), I turned off the heat but the rollers turned a light blue/purple. I went ahead and put the bearing on which fell right on but my question is: Does the blue affect the integrity of the bearing? I probably shouldn't have heated it up in the first place. I do have a press but wanted to try this method for some reason. Here's a pic: Thanks,

Got my second new bearing, froze the pinion, then pressed it on, no prob. (would have pressed on fine without freezing I'm sure). This is how I should have done it the first time. Don't heat the bearing! And don't forget the shim.

 

[DoubleDingo]

Got my second new bearing, froze the pinion, then pressed it on, no prob. (would have pressed on fine without freezing I'm sure). This is how I should have done it the first time. Don't heat the bearing! And don't forget the shim.

Freezing is probably best to minimize galling