'63 xke suspension

[absmgb]

Help! I'm trying to replace the bearings in the rear spindles. I've tried pressing them apart but I'm afraid of damaging the cast alum' housing. So far they won't budge. The book calls for using a Churchill tool J7. Can anyone tell me where I can borrow/rent one from?
absmgb

 

[MikeP]

In disassembling mine they had to use a 30 ton press, probably because they'd been together nearly 50 years. I was told they also had to let them soak in a bucket of penetrating fluid overnight as the first attempt didn't budge them. Didn't hurt the castings and since I was replacing the bearings and hubs I didn't care what happened to them. On the plus side, the overnight soak took most of the old dirt and grease off them so less to clean.

 

[DrEntropy]

Yep. press work for sure.

 

[absmgb]

Thanks guys. I was afraid I would have to make that Churchill tool J7. My press is a 12 ton made in Korea. The top bar is already bent. I'll use a friends monster press. I'll also soak them for a while.

 

[absmgb]

Here's the latest on the '63 suspension. A friend has a very impressive 100 ton press. It easily pushed the hubs apart, although it caused a hellacious bang. All parts seem ok. The threads on the end of the splined yoke need cleaning up, but that's the worst of it.
On the aluminum hub carrier, there is a small stamping, "78 Jag". Could this be from an XJ6? The outer seal is 3.25 dia. A '63 seal is 2 3/8 dia, so it's not original.
I've heard bronze bushings are the way to go to replace the bearings in the wishbone. Any suggestions?

 

[MikeP]

Since mine's also a 63 I'll check the carriers when I get home and see what might be stamped on them.

 

[absmgb]

The stamping is above the outer seal and can't be seen if the hub is in place. I looked through the Moss catalog and the bearing kit is the same for '64 on up through the XJ's. I'll buy one of those kits.