Replacement axle seals for OE rear?

[yossarian19]

So, I (finally) pulled a rear drum off and, of course, it had a fair puddle of gear oil in the bottom.
Where can I find seals for this thing?
I'm tempted to call it a day with the factory rear & put a 12 bolt or Dana 44 in there, something where I can get a reasonably priced disk kit and a positraction unit. If I can find seals for cheap and it's not a real hard job, though...

[Joe Pass]

A good source is west coast differential in Rancho Cordova, Ca....http://www.differentials.com/

[yossarian19]

Figured out why I couldn't find a listing for the part.
The seal is integrated into the wheel bearing.
Rockauto sells them for $50-$60 apiece.
At ~$120 for both, plus labor... it's a tricky one to me. I'll see what the local junkyards have in the way of a 12 bolt or Dana 44.

[mr48chev]

If Rock Auto says 50 to 60 that's probably 80 or 90 or more locally for the same bearing/seal.

I see you live where one of my big cousins does. If you see Santa aka Chuck tell him high from his cousin Rob.

[1project2many]

I've bought the seals separately. The trick to changing them is to get the bearings out of the housing. I actually bought NOS leather seals. Leather is a very good seal material as long as it doesn't get too hot.

[1project2many]

Sorry... didn't get to finish the post above.

I've bought the seals separately. I actually bought NOS leather seals for my truck. Leather is a very good seal material as long as it doesn't get too hot.

The truck axles are not like the car axles. The bearing is not pressed onto the axle. The seal can be replaced.

I can dig up the old National # from my boxes if you are interested. The original GM number is 592441. One site says the SKF number is 15557 and another says the National number is 5801 although I haven't confirmed either.

[yossarian19]

If the bearing isn't pressed onto the axle, then I can pull the C-clip as I would any other axle and slip-fit new bearings into place on the shaft? I think I need to look up this section in the old car manual project, make sure I know what's involved before I decide if it's too big a PITA or what.

[1project2many]

Yes, check the manual. Remove C clips, slide axle out. Bearings stay in the housing like a modern axle.

[dsraven]

my buddies 54 has c clip style axles. just be sure to get the spacer block right when you assemble. it is what keeps the axles seperated so they can't slide inward and lose a c clip. if I remember correctly the block is not square, bigger one side than the other so it can be used 2 different ways depending on how much clearance there is between the inboard end of the axles. i may be wrong though......been awhile. basically, when you assemble it make sure you can't push the axles in far enough to lose a c clip. if all good then put the cover back on.