I just purchased an new Auburn posi and 3.73 Richmond gears for my 72. My 10 bolt rear has an 8.2 inch case, Im getting ready to install the pinion bearings onto the case. Ive read you can install these bearings without a press. Whats your guys opinion on that. I dont have a press and I fabbed a piece of solid steel to fit the bearing perfectly, to drive the bearings on.:cool:

You can do anything You want too, if You want it bad enough. I'd find, or borrow a press, You'll need one when You set up the gears. You'll need to remove, and install the pinion bearing a time or two.

Do you have a halogen lamp? Or access to an oven that you can use. Lay the bearing on the halogen lamp for a little while and it will expand enough to slide on. Otherwise put it in the oven and it'll accomplish the same thing. The other thing I've done is heat vegetable oil in a pot that it was real hot and drop the bearing in. This just is a little messy when trying to get the bearing on.

i put the carrier bearings on without a press, as you had mentioned.

with that said, dave is correct, you will need a press to put the pinion on and off a few times. tom