Help!!! New IMS bearing will not press into shaft!

[Mprowan87]

Hi,

I have been performing the IMS bearing upgrade with the kit from Pelican Parts. I got the old bearing out with no issues. I cannot get the new bearing to fit all the way in though. It is still protruding about 5 mm or less.

I removed a double-row bearing style, so the new one will be recessed into the shaft. I guess my question is what kind of beating can this bearing take while getting it in? It was frozen cold initially but has since warmed up.

I read that the other end of the shaft pushes on the oil pump. I have stopped where I am because I am afraid I may damage something if I keep beating on it. The engine is locked at TDC, and I have marked the relative positions of the camshafts and the INtermediate shaft. Nothing has budged at all from its original position.

What kind of beating can the bearing take? I don't want to compromise the new one. Is there anyway to make sure it is not "popped" or "scored" after it is installed?

What do I need to be aware of on the other side of the shaft? Can I damage the oil pump? The shaft has not moved back from the crankcase either. I feel compelled to pull the oil pump off to make sure I have not damaged it already....

If the seal is not damaged after installation, does that mean the bearing is okay? The last thing I want to do is replace an IMS bearing that turned out looking fine and compromise the new one and have it prematurely fail....!!!

Thank you for any advice!!! This is my primary vehicle so I need to get this put back together as soon as I can but primarily I want to do it right.

[BerneseMtnDog]

Don't beat on it. Some folks have trouble getting the new bearing in when the intermediate shaft is off center so I'd check this first.

Steve

[Brando]

Try storing the bearing in the freezer overnight as well. In the coldest spot you can put it. This should help the IMS bearing slip into the shaft, hopefully it will have shrunk enough to slide in easier.

[tomk]

I stored the bearing and the drift tool bolted together in the freezer overnight, it really does take that long to cool it down. I measured the temp several times. I cleaned up the inner part of the shaft with some scotch-brite scuffing pads, applied a little light penetrating oil to the surface, hit it with a deadblow hammer as wayne suggests, and it should go in. The end of the shaft will be slightly offset due to the cam tensioner at the other end of the shaft but that should not interfere with getting it in place, good luck!

[Mprowan87]

Thank you all for your responses.

I actually had the tool bolted together in the freezer for almost a week. It has since warmed up and now almost all the way into the shaft...

[Mprowan87]

Update:

The bearing is in, the cover is on, and I have turned the motor two complete times from TDC. Everything seems to be perfect... Any other things I need to check out before I put the transmission back in and crank it up?

My concern is if there could be any residual damage from using a hard surfaced hammer? I had to hit on it a little more to get it in place, but finally got it in. When I say hitting on it, I do not mean a full 100% hard hit. Strong taps would be a more accurate description. I have experience with wheel bearings and hit nowhere near as hard as required on those for some vehicles. I was entirely conscious of the expensive, complex block of metal that I was hitting, and tried to be as light as I could with it (part of the reason I had trouble getting it in...)

Cams were locked. Set screws were in. Crank pulley was locked. IMS DID NOT ROTATE AT ALL. It did move 1-2mm laterally to the right but straightened back out with the cover installation. The bearing rolled perfectly free with no surface abrasion or seal damage. And like I said, the timing checked perfect after two full revolutions. Thank you for all your help!

[Wayne 962]

Sounds okay to me. As long as you used the proper tool, which applies the load to the outer race only, then you should be okay. These bearings are designed to have a high force tolerance for installation - as long as they are installed properly...

-Wayne