ANYONE DONE AXLE BEARING / SEAL AND/OR PINION SEAL REPLACE ON BW 9 BOLT REAR END ???? THE BOOK IS NOT CLEAR ON WHAT SPECIAL TOOLS ARE REQUIRED AND HOW TO GET BEARINGS AND SEALS OFF THE AXLES . HELP.

 

Tips/Tricks for Installing Axles, Bearings, Seals

It was under the sticky at the top of this forum. Has pictures and everything.

 

THE HOW - TO IS FOR THE C-CLIP TYPE AXLES WITH BEARINGS IN THE HOUSING. BW 9 BOLT HAS BEARINGS PRESSED ON AXLES WITH INNER RETAINERS THAT MUST BE DESTROYED IN ORDER TO REPLACE BEARINGS AND SEALS. THE BOOK I HAVE IS NOT TOO CLEAR ON WTF TO DO.

 

That only covers the 10 bolt. The 9 bolt has completely different axle bearings. The 9 bolt has the bearings pressed on the axles. The axles will have to be removed and taken to a shop where the bearings can be pressed off and new bearings pressed on. The right and left bearings and seals are not the same, so you will need to get the correct bearings. The axles are held in by the bolts that hold the caliper brackes on.

 

I GOT THE AXLES OUT. ONE SIDE LOOKS LIKE ITS BEEN LEAKING. THE BEARINGS SPIN/LOOK OK. THE BOOK I HAVE SUKS. I FIGURED GOOD IDEA TO REPLACE SEALS BEFORE I PUT THE REAR END BACK ON THE CAR. ANYBODY DONE FRONT SEAL ON BW 9 BOLT ? IS IT MORE COST EFFECTIVE TO TAKE AXLES TO SHOP FOR SEALS ?

 

I have rebuilt the 9 bolt rear ends before. Changing the pinion seal is no different from changing the pinion seal on other GM rear ends.

 

DO I NEED ALOT OF SPECIAL TOOLS FOR FRONT SEAL CHANGE ?

 

Replacing the pinion seal is the same as almost every other rear end, gm or otherwise.
I usually count the threads, and put a mark on diff yoke nut, so it can be reinstalled to about the same torque.
Pull the big nut off the center of the axle yoke, remove the yoke and use a seal puller or large screwdriver to remove the seal. Tap new seal in till its flush, and reinstall yoke.

The axleshaft bearings and seals can be done if you have a press. If not, take it to a machine shop and have them do it.

 

I didnt know that 9 bolt axles are semi-float. I have a press, but it is not big enough for that, buy the correct bearings/seals for your axle shafts and pay a machine shop to press them on and off.

The pinion seal is easy. All you need is a 1/2" drive torque wrench to retorque the pinion nut. Oh and the socket for the pinion nut.

 

IVE GOT A PRETTY BIG ARBOR PRESS I GOT FROM AN OLD AIRCRAFT WHEEL TIRE/ SHOP THAT MY JET ENGINE SHOP WAS NEXT TOO. I DONT HAVE THE DRIVERS AND/OR PULLERS I ASSUME I NEED TO GET THE AXLE BEARINGS ON/OFF. THE PRESS WORKS LIKE A CHAMP FOR WHEEL STUD REMOVAL AND INSTALLS.

 

IS THERE A TRICK TO KEEPING EVERYTHING FROM TURNING WHEN REMOVING / TIGHTENING PINION NUT WHEN THE AXLES ARE OUT ?? THE BOOK SHOWS ANOTHER SPECIAL TOOL...

 

THE BOOK SAYS TO BREAK THE INNER RETAINER WITH A CHISEL. WTF ??!!

 

Yes to all of that. In a pinch I have used a large pipe wrench on the yoke, but it tears them up. I made a tool to hold the yoke through the bolt holes with a long extention.

There is a ring that holds the bearing on the axle, the only way to get it off is to partially cut through it and then break it open with a chisel. Be careful when cutting the ring so you dont nick the axle shaft.

 

WHERE DO I GET A NEW BEARING RING ? IM NOT SEEING ANY INCLUDED WITH THE SEAL KITS.

 

IT LOOKS LIKE THE INNER RING COMES WITH A NEW BEARING. DAMN. DONT NEED NEW BEARINGS.

 

You can't change the seal without changing the bearing too. You will destroy the bearing when you try to get it off. There's no way around it.

 

how do you get the axles out of the rear end ?

 

Please take your caps lock button off. No need to yell at us. thank you