Bearings- HELP

[Twitch57]

The rear bearings in my truck are going bad.
Im not an idiot when it comes to using tools
and Ive got a basic understanding of my truck
and have done basic maintenance on it
But I was wondering what is involved in replacing the
rear bearings and how hard it is to do.

 

[JFA_Spyderman]

Yo,
It's not a terrible job.

Basicly it's as follows;

1. jack up the truck, place jackstands where they should go.
2. remove the wheels and brake drum, along with the rear differential cover (I usually remove the cover early, it can take a while for all the oil to drain.)
3. Next you need to remove the pin that passes through the middle of the spider gears, there is usually a set screw that holds it in place. Be careful when you remove it because the spider gears themselves can now come out.
4. Once the pin is removed push on the wheel studs (where the wheel bolts onto) and where the pin you just removed was, the shafts will slide into that area.
5. remove the c-clips that are on the end of the axleshaft, then the shaft will pull out from the wheel side.
6. Now you have access to the bearing and the seal. You will need to replace both. You cannot get to the bearing without removing the seal, and it is difficult to remove the seal without damaging it.

Assembly is basicly reverse order, IIRC, the bearings are oil bathed from the differential fluid, so there is no greasing you have to do. Good luck!

 

[srteach]

You don't have to grease the bearings, but depending on the temp of the diff fluid you put back in, it may take a while for the fluid (if it's cold) to get to the bearings. Spend the few minutes to grease the bearings, just in case.
Put new 90wt diff fluid back in, and don't forget the limited slip additive if you have an LS diff.

 

[MAKG]

You don't need to grease the bearings. However, a few squirts of gear oil in the rollers prior to inserting axleshafts wouldn't hurt.

Don't put grease in there. That's asking for trouble. Like locking up a roller and causing instant failure.

 

[Ranger5.0]

+1 on the no greasing the axle bearings. giving them a shot of gear lub befor installing them. I read elswhere that its a pita to get the seals out without fraging them, thats not a problem, cuz you should replace them anyways, dont be a cheepwad. The diff fluid doesnt actualy sit in the axle tubes when the stuck is stationary. The oil wicks down the shafts during rotation and then collects at the bearings. this is also how the pinion bearings get oil. Thats why keeping your diff lube at the proper leval is so important. If its low, the ring and pinion still gets oil, but the bearings may starve. Good luck with the job, its not to complicated.

 

[Twitch57]

Awesome-
Thanks a bunch