rear axle bearings - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

lost wages · 03-01-2003, 04:08 AM

im going to replace the outer bearings in my 71 rear axle, any tricks to it? I have a slide hammer and bearing drivers, how do i get the bearings and the races out properly? put the new ones in? just double checking, thanks.

ChevLoRay · 03-01-2003, 07:13 AM

You'll have to pull the axles, first. That means opening the rear end, and removing the C-clip that holds them in. After that, I think you need to take the axles to someone who has a press.

The slide hammer, when attached to the studs on the axle, will facilitate removing the axle from the housing.

Somebody else may have other input on this, but I'd be looking for a press to get the old ones off and the new ones on.

JimKshortstep4x4 · 03-01-2003, 07:37 AM

Assuming that you have a 12 bolt rear end, then after you pull the c-clips with the wheels and drums removed, the axles will slide out easily. Since you have a puller, you can reach into the axle tube to catch the bearing on the fingers and slide hammer the bearings out. They ususally come out with no problems. I use the right size driver to tap the new bearings in.

The axles are the inner races for the bearings on the 12 bolts, so examine them before reusing, as they do spall.

Jim

lost wages · 03-01-2003, 01:36 PM

yeah, its a 12 bolt, i have had the rear apeart when we did the brakes and cleaned it up, axles are out of it already. thanks guys.

03-01-2003, 04:08 AM	#1
lost wages Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: jefferson city, mo Posts: 1,364	rear axle bearings im going to replace the outer bearings in my 71 rear axle, any tricks to it? I have a slide hammer and bearing drivers, how do i get the bearings and the races out properly? put the new ones in? just double checking, thanks.

03-01-2003, 07:13 AM	#2
ChevLoRay Old Skool Club Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Benton, AR "The Heart of Arkansas" Posts: 10,880	You'll have to pull the axles, first. That means opening the rear end, and removing the C-clip that holds them in. After that, I think you need to take the axles to someone who has a press. The slide hammer, when attached to the studs on the axle, will facilitate removing the axle from the housing. Somebody else may have other input on this, but I'd be looking for a press to get the old ones off and the new ones on. __________________ Member Nr. 2770 '96 GMC Sportside; 4.3/SLT - Daily driven....constantly needs washed. '69 C-10 SWB; 350/TH400 - in limbo The older I get, the better I was.

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03-01-2003, 07:37 AM	#3
JimKshortstep4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Muskegon,MI,USA Posts: 6,026	Assuming that you have a 12 bolt rear end, then after you pull the c-clips with the wheels and drums removed, the axles will slide out easily. Since you have a puller, you can reach into the axle tube to catch the bearing on the fingers and slide hammer the bearings out. They ususally come out with no problems. I use the right size driver to tap the new bearings in. The axles are the inner races for the bearings on the 12 bolts, so examine them before reusing, as they do spall. Jim

03-01-2003, 01:36 PM	#4
lost wages Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: jefferson city, mo Posts: 1,364	yeah, its a 12 bolt, i have had the rear apeart when we did the brakes and cleaned it up, axles are out of it already. thanks guys.



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