I am in the middle of replacing my rear brakes and noticed the axle bearings growling a little. The inside of the brake drums are real juicy as well. So while I've got the drums off I figure I might as well pull the axles and replace the bearings and seals. I pulled the axle on the passenger side, and it looks like that bearing has gone bad sometime in the past and whoever owned the car just kept on driving it. The inside of the axle housing where the bearing resides is galled pretty badly. I wonder if it'll be ok to just replace the bearings and seals with the housing in this condition? What else can I do besides replacing the whole housing?
Depends how bad it is.. Pics woulda been great. I would think that as long as the housing isn't woulered it should be ok. It's the axle that seals with the seal.. Might apply some oil resistant sealant to the outter edge part of the seal..
I tried to snap a couple shots but my cameras out of batteries, and my phones cam is worthless. I appreciate the tip. I'll definitely try a little sealant on the seal. That is if I can ever get the old seal out. It's being pretty stubborn , but my slide hammer is a cheapo and only has a single hook. I'll try and borrow a seal puller from one of my mechanic buddy's tomorrow.
If the housing has a burr that nicks the seal I believe u will have a problem w/ grease still coming out on the shoes. I wud feel the surface real gud w/ my finger and if I felt any thing I wud use some abrasive paper and smooth it down prior to installing the seal. After that, I wud install it and see what happens. If it don't leak - ur gud to go. If it does - figure out plan B. I had my entire 3rd. member rebuilt' "flange to flange" and I had a burr on the axle shaft, it kept cutting the seal and leaking grease. It must have been very small and hard to see. The shop took it apart 3 time B4 they figured it out. I was beginning to think I was going to have to figure out a plan B - Thankfully they found it. This was not a rinky dink shop - very professional, driveline specialist, they did'nt come up w/ excuses they just kept at it till they got it.
With age of car an all, pull 3rd member, take long bar an pound seal out from backside. It all needs good cleaning anyway. Good Luck
What do you mean the housing is damaged?? Do you mean where the race is fit in the housing or are you looking at the bearing race?? The race comes with the new bearing. IF you mean the race has spun and damaged the housing it really depends how bad it is.
This bearing is all one piece, but your right the race spun and damaged the housing. It'll probably be OK to put back together as is. I'll know more when I get that blasted seal out.
I could be wrong but I am thinking the race fits only snug and is actually held by the plate and 4 nuts. Being that the bearing is pressed onto the axle shaft, I don't see that it is actually "pressed" into the housing. Been awhile since I been in there.. Good tips on checking on the burs and stuff.
Got it! I finally got the seals out. I spent $10 bucks on a seal puller and broke it within 5 minutes. That'll teach me to buy tools at Autozone.Then I got the bright idea to try a cats claw nail puller, and it worked like a charm. I got the new bearings, and seals in, got the new brakes all put together, and took her for a test run. They say that the back brakes really don't play much of a part in stopping these old cars, but I think thats a bunch of hog wash. The old girl stops a 100% better now that she's got new shoes. Now It's time to do something about my steering. I recently did a back yard alignment, and while it steers way better than it did there's still allot of room for improvement. I've got a new center link, and inner tie rods to install this weekend, and then it's going to the shop for a real alignment. I cant wait to get all these mechanical projects done so I can concentrate on getting her ready for paint. Thanks for the tips. They really helped out on this one.
depends if youre car is vintage with factory discs or drums all around drum/drum is 50/50 disc/drum is 70/40 I believe disc/disc is 60/40
It's a 76 with power disc up front and drums in back. I really do hope i'm braking at 70/40, but I'm guessing you meant 70/30. Regardless of the numbers, the car stops a great deal better now that I've got new brakes on the back.
