hey fellas,

what is involved in replacing the rear axle bearings? i spoke with my dad last night and he said that it was a bieotch to replace them (well, not in those exact words). is he messin with me or what?

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'86WS7
Ram Air...
*EiyseWhite*

 

well, the first thing you have to do is drain the rear, which smells bad...gear lube is the worst smelling stuff in a car. The axles are held in place by C clips, which have to be taken out from the center of the rear(you have to take out the pin and pin bolt). Once you slide the axles out, you need to pull out the old axle seals, usually a large screwdriver, or a chisel does the job, and then you need a special puller, or alot of patience with a slide hammer w/ a custom made puller end(like a hook, bascially) to pull out the bearing race. And you have to make sure the diff doesn't move around once you pull the axles out, becuase the spider gears and side gears can move around, making assembly a hassle. Assembly needs careful observation, the bearings need to be installed completely (pressed in), and the seals need to be installed w/o being damaged. Overall, it's not an extremely difficult procedure, but it's not for the weak of heart.

 

What he said. He does take time and patience and it really helps to have a helper. You may want to consider repair bearings. The repair bearings allow the bearing to ride on a new section of the axle--instead of where the old axle rode. It also has an built-in seal. You will need them for sure if the axle is worn. When you put it back together, make sure you are carefull with the seal. When you slide the axle back in it's easy to damage the seal enough so it won't seal anymore--then you must replace the seal again.


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350 with stealth intake, holley carb, 470 lift cam. 700r4 with .5 boost valve, vette servo, tci lock-up kit, B&M megashifter. Richmond 3.73 gears, powertrax locker, timkin bearings, synthetic lube. Custom 3 inch single into 2 2.5 pipes. 1 1/2 drop springs, 1 5/16 solid front sway bar, 1 inch rear bar, custom subframe connectors, custom LCA relocation brackets. Kobel ground FX, currant red metallic paint. Lots of other stuff...
82camaro

 

does pressing in or removing the bearings require a special tool?

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'86WS7
Ram Air...
*EiyseWhite*

 

removing the bearings involves either a special spanner that you use with a slide hammer, or you can make a hook type tool to use with a slide hammer(usually, a bolt with the neck ground down so that the head can be used to lay behind the race and smack out(make sure you keep going around the diameter to 'walk' the bearing out. To intall, usually, a socket or peice of round stock(preferably aluminum or brass, as not to damage the bearing), is used with a large hammer. And it would be a good idea to get those repair bearings, if the axle surface(which is used as the inner race) is damaged.

 

great, thanks for all the info., fellas!

=)

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'86WS7
Ram Air...
*EiyseWhite*