derekf
06-19-2005, 11:24 AM
I'm trying to press in a set of UCA bushings, and it looks like the press is just too small for the job.
It's one of the 100 dollar Harbor Freight presses. I was able to install the first bushing for each UCA without any problems, but as soon as I put the shaft in and got ready to do the second bushing the problem became apparent:
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2005/06/05190601-1.jpg
Now, it seems to me that I could rotate the whole UCA so that the ball joint was towards me while I was pressing, but to do that I'd need to be able to get the UCA out of the press when I was done.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2005/06/05190606-1.jpg
The thought that I had was to cut the (whatever the name of the part the arbors ride on) so I could take part of it off: (I'd cut at the blue line on both sides)
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2005/06/05190602-1.jpg
and of course I'd need to replace the pins with 1/2" bolts:
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2005/06/05190603-1.jpg
The alternatives are to go ahead and press the second bushings in and just make the cuts after I'm done (destroying the press) to get the shaft out; or to go ahead and pay someone else to press the bushings.
If I go ahead and cut the shelf-thing ahead of time and replace the pins with bolts, am I ruining the press - will it be doomed to never press straight?
It's one of the 100 dollar Harbor Freight presses. I was able to install the first bushing for each UCA without any problems, but as soon as I put the shaft in and got ready to do the second bushing the problem became apparent:
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2005/06/05190601-1.jpg
Now, it seems to me that I could rotate the whole UCA so that the ball joint was towards me while I was pressing, but to do that I'd need to be able to get the UCA out of the press when I was done.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2005/06/05190606-1.jpg
The thought that I had was to cut the (whatever the name of the part the arbors ride on) so I could take part of it off: (I'd cut at the blue line on both sides)
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2005/06/05190602-1.jpg
and of course I'd need to replace the pins with 1/2" bolts:
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2005/06/05190603-1.jpg
The alternatives are to go ahead and press the second bushings in and just make the cuts after I'm done (destroying the press) to get the shaft out; or to go ahead and pay someone else to press the bushings.
If I go ahead and cut the shelf-thing ahead of time and replace the pins with bolts, am I ruining the press - will it be doomed to never press straight?