Installing wheel bearings with an oven

[rt54321]

Greetings all!

This question could apply to many vehicles, but specifically, I have a 2005 Honda Civic LX.

Has anyone seen/tried inserting a new wheel bearing using the “oven + gravity” approach, where you:
1. Heat up the entire steering knuckle in a household oven (this requires the knuckle being removed from the car entirely)
2. Once at temperature, “drop in” the inner bearing, as the knuckle as expanded so much, that a press is not needed

I’d like to try this method (more as a science experiment than anything else), as I have an old steering knuckle for my car that I got from a junk yard. Just asking – any experience or tips on this?

-Rick

Topic

[Erin]

sounds like it might work. Or you could freeze the bearing. I would not do both lest something cracks when assembled.
You get this 400 degree hot steering knuckle and a zero degree bearing, something is not gonna be happy.

With the steering knuckle, just make sure it has no parts attached like the ball joint. Oven heat cannot be good for rubber or grease.

[Author]

Replies