Correct inner spindle seals

[tewels]

Rebuilding a 72 front dana 44. The inner spindle seals are confusing. Took everything apart. Had to pry the metal/rubber seal out. Removed the inner roller bearing. Pressed in a new roller bearing. The seal kit makes no sense. The new small roller bearing seal is only about 1/8" thick. The new roller bearing was pressed in....leaving about a 1/4 gap to fill with a seal that is not thick enough. Do the 72's not need the inner roller bearing seal. Seams that the pressed in metal/rubber seal is adequate. This seams like rocket science....and I'm just a scientist. Can't find a schematic for my specific year. Help.....
PM would be great.....thx.

[El Dorado Jim]

pics? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_LADFpLFlk try this

[El Dorado Jim]

or try this http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=247536

[El Dorado Jim]

http://www2.dana.com/expertforms/demenu.aspx click on light axles then on catalogs and literature

[kwmech]

Sounds like you pressed in the new bearing too far

[tewels]

I did not remove any small v rubber seal. And I did not remove a larger V rubber seal. The NAPA kit has the small rubber seal and the larger rubber seal. Seems that if the needle bearing only goes in so far, that there would be a shim or washer to prevent from pressing in further that it should go. Was told by a tech from a 4x4 site that the metal/rubber seal pressed in place should eliminate the need for the small and large V rubbers. Hoping to get another opinion.
thanks.....

[kwmech]

You got another opinion from somebody that has been building 4x4 for 40 years. Post up a pic of the backside of the spindle so we exactly see what you're working with

[tewels]

The small needle bearing has a round edge that seats against the housing, thats why I pressed it all the way down. It would be almost impossible to press the needle bearing in the housing, the correct distance to accept the small v rubber. I went to the spicer site and looked for small axles. Went to the parts breakdown and it only shows 78 and newer. I'm thinking that the press in seals are a much simpler, eliminating the two v rubber seals.

[tewels]

Its staring to make sense. Put the spindle on the axle shaft and its impossible to turn. The needle bearings are super tight.....I pressed them in too far. After I remove them, how do I know how far to press them in? A personal PM may help.
thanks....

[tewels]

The needle bearing is in, and from the edge of the housing to the bearing is about 3/8". How do I press the new bearing to the correct depth? I would guess....carefully. And should the rubber be flush with the edge of the housing? Or should the rubber be slightly sticking out?

[kwmech]

Bearing way too deep. Yes the rubber V should be slightly proud of the spindle face, just enough for a small press or squeeze. I always eyeball it. Course I've done hundreds of them. Before you reassemble, pack that bearing with a good dollop of grease and put the same grease on the V seal and the plastic thrust washer, and also the larger rubber dust seal where it is going to spin on the back of the spindle

[tewels]

Thanks, KWMech.....was told the exact same thing by a local expert. Press in just far enough for the rubber to barely touch the bronze thrust washer, being very liberal with grease. Always like a second opinion.
thx....
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