Been a while, but trying to figure out a problem

[Tedybear]

Hello,

Just wondering about this one. My 89' Bronco II (9" brakes and 3.73 open diff)

It blew out the axle seal on the drivers side. (Just before inspection....great timing). We went with repair bearings with the built in seals. We purchased normal bearings and seals just in case, but didn't use them.

Now this is my first time doing this job. Pulled the diff cover, and thankfully the retaining pin came out easy. C clips also didn't struggle...etc..

My question is--the repair bearings stick out about 1/8 of an inch on each side--and not sit flush with the axle tube. We used a driver tool--and frankly pounded the hell out of 'em ensuring they are fully 'seated'...but I'm wondering about the fact they do stick out a bit?

The C-Clips did reinstall without to many issues. (A tad on the tight side, but they did slip back into place.) The rest of the install went fine. It's just the fact the repair bearings do stick out that is bugging me.

On the lighter side? The side not leaking? Found someone had worked on it before...Sadly the axle shaft had a severe gouge mark and it's clear at some point the axle did spin the bearing. (It was 'gulled' badly). So the repair bearing that supposedly 'offsets' the bearing to an unused area of the axle shaft? It made sense to use it. Once again it stuck out about 1/8".

We did the test drive...some minor 'rolling' noises--mostly sounds like rubbing brake shoes, etc.... Yeah the axle shafts didn't fly out LOL.....

Just need to know about that repair bearing and how far into the axle shaft it's supposed to be? Any harder beating into the axle tube would have seemed to much....

Best Regards,

S-

 

[monsterchuck]

Yes, the repair bearings stick out a little bit. It's a little unnerving the first time you use them and see how far they stick out, but that's how they work.

 

[Tedybear]

Well...That was very shortlived.

The NAPA repair bearings lasted one day. The right one blew the seal out (actually it 'fell' off the bearing and was hanging off the axle shaft when we pulled it out) Brakes totally soaked in gear oil.

So we went and tried to remove the repair bearings. NO LUCK! These things nest inside the axle tube like crazy glue. I wound up cutting the bearings out with a dremel with cutting discs. (Took 3 hours.....Yeah I know there's probably a faster way--but this is/was a quest).

I picked up a used axle shaft from the local yard...$60 bucks. Minor surface rust, but quite useable. I'm going with just normal National Bearings and matching seals. No El' Cheapos...

Sorry, I know this is 'urgent' help...but I'm venting. Thankfully I didn't ding up the axle tubes badly while cutting the repair bearings out.

S-

 

[monsterchuck]

Yikes, that's no good. What brand repair bearings did you use? I want to make sure I avoid them at work.

 

[Tedybear]

It was the Napa performance line. (Their basic 'house brand')

I'll be springing for the normal "National" brand parts and seals, sense I've already purchased the replacement axle shaft. I'm done at this point with the 'house recommended' brands.

S-

 

[logman7777]

Not to add fuel to the fire but the "pounded the hell out of them" installation may have dislodged the seal part of the repair bearing.

I have done axle repair bearings about 6 times between my trucks and friends and I had the same problem with the 1st set I installed. Of course I used a 6lb sledge and beat them in good. Now its a 4lb soft blow and the correct install tool and havent had a problem with the next 5 sets.

Hope that helps!

 

[Tedybear]

Well, The truck passed inspection

I wound up getting a replacement shaft from our local older truck yard. There is a small pitted line where the seal from the old rear end was rubbing. But it feels quite smooth, and we cleaned it up with some emery paper. (cleaned and cleaned...etc...) At any rate. New bearings and seals. We may have "pounded" the snot out of the repair bearings? But we did so using the actual tool for the job, plus with my health? Hitting it hard enough to damage the seal wouldn't happen. LOL.

I sprung for all new back brakes, as the gear oil nuked out the shoes on the right side. Rock auto had the drums for 13 bucks each on closeout. To my surprise? The brand name is "Wagner" and I've used their drums and rotors when I used to be a mechanic all the time with excellent results. (I should have asked the guy at the auto parts store what their price matching policy is. They listed the drums for over $50.00 each.)

So far I've not seen any leaks. We even left the rear end up with the drums off...started it and tossed it into drive for 5 min before shutting the engine off. Nice and quiet, and no signs of leaky gear oil yet.

I'm just glad it passed inspection, Plus to get it out of the family barn--my step father got his first (and I hope last) deer of the season. It's being "Butchered" about 2' from where I was working on the truck.

Have a great day all!

S-

 

[Dune Runner]

Those repair bearings suck real bad. From what I have seen over the years they work 50% of the time. A replacement axle is always your best bet. Glad you got it fixed.