Replacement axle seals for OE rear? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

yossarian19 · 03-20-2016, 08:03 PM

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** · 03-20-2016, 08:21 PM

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

yossarian19 · 03-20-2016, 08:28 PM

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** · 03-21-2016, 12:50 AM

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 · 03-21-2016, 07:35 AM

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 · 03-21-2016, 08:35 AM

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 · 03-21-2016, 02:17 PM

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 · 03-21-2016, 09:47 PM

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

dsraven · 03-22-2016, 01:16 AM

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.

03-20-2016, 08:03 PM	#1
yossarian19 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Nevada City, CA Posts: 908	Replacement axle seals for OE rear? 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... __________________ "Over my head" 1957 Chevy 3200, big rear window & 6 lug. Front disc, power steering, Vortec 4.8 / 4L60E swap, hydro boost brakes & patina.

03-20-2016, 08:21 PM	#2
Joe Pass Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Windsor, California Posts: 1,042	Re: Replacement axle seals for OE rear? A good source is west coast differential in Rancho Cordova, Ca....http://www.differentials.com/ __________________ 1962 build album http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...p?albumid=2066 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...p?albumid=2066 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...p?albumid=2067 1956 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...p?albumid=2086

03-20-2016, 08:28 PM	#3
yossarian19 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Nevada City, CA Posts: 908	Re: Replacement axle seals for OE rear? 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. __________________ "Over my head" 1957 Chevy 3200, big rear window & 6 lug. Front disc, power steering, Vortec 4.8 / 4L60E swap, hydro boost brakes & patina.

03-21-2016, 12:50 AM	#4
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,705	Re: Replacement axle seals for OE rear? 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. __________________ Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club. My ongoing truck projects: 48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six. 71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant. 77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around.

03-21-2016, 07:35 AM	#5
1project2many Registered User Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Lakes Region NH Posts: 3,200	Re: Replacement axle seals for OE rear? 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.

03-21-2016, 08:35 AM	#6
1project2many Registered User Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Lakes Region NH Posts: 3,200	Re: Replacement axle seals for OE rear? 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.

03-21-2016, 02:17 PM	#7
yossarian19 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Nevada City, CA Posts: 908	Re: Replacement axle seals for OE rear? 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. __________________ "Over my head" 1957 Chevy 3200, big rear window & 6 lug. Front disc, power steering, Vortec 4.8 / 4L60E swap, hydro boost brakes & patina.

03-21-2016, 09:47 PM	#8
1project2many Registered User Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Lakes Region NH Posts: 3,200	Re: Replacement axle seals for OE rear? Yes, check the manual. Remove C clips, slide axle out. Bearings stay in the housing like a modern axle.

03-22-2016, 01:16 AM	#9
dsraven Registered User Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: calgary alberta Posts: 8,325	Re: Replacement axle seals for OE rear? 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.



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