12 Bolt spun bearing question

[Jeepster376]

Wouldn't you know it, Monday night, I Changed my 12 Bolt rear end fluid to nice new synthetic lube and sealed up the rear with a new gasket. Then Tuesday I head off for work, and two miles later I spin an axle bearing. Had to get it towed home.

So I picked up a pair of new bearings today, and first thing I see there's no inner race on these bearings. So I wonder what' s my axle gonna look like. So anyways, I pulled the remnants of my old bearing out and put the new one in, but looking at my axle, it's got some wear to it, not real bad but it isn't smooth.

So what's gonna happen to the new bearing? I think i can get away with using it, but don't know how long it will last. Do I have to get the axle repaired? Can I get it resurfaced, or should I just get a new axle? Seems pretty stupid to me that there is no inner race. That leaves no tolerance to bearing failures.

[jmanz69]

Your axle is your inner race. If you have damage to your axle then it will destroy the new bearing eventually. May take a week, may take a day, may even take a year, but it will destroy it. If you get it turned, then the axle won't fit in the bearing correctly. I would take it to a driveline shop and see if they think it's bad enough to replace. If so, you could get a new axle from a junkyard.

[Jeepster376]

I'm guessing this bearing may last a couple months to a year maybe, but I don't really want to find out.

I don't think a junkyard is an option, you don't see much of anything older than "87" in the junkyards here in Massachusetts. My only options will be to repair this axle or get another one long distance. I don't know if someplace re-welds and re-turns them to original O.D. like crankshafts. If anyone has a good used 6 lug K10 axle they'd be willing to ship UPS, I'd be interested.

[JimKshortstep4x4]

I believe axles up through 79 will work if you have the longer axles. Around here a lot of the axles have the same problem that yours does and a lot of them are bent. I checked (5) in the yard before I found a straight one. A lot of the 4x4's are used for snow plowing and they get abused.

I believe that a new axle might be your best option. Welding and grinding could possibly cost more than a new one with the cost of machine work being what it is.

Jim

[highboy_04]

i have one out of a c10 that was coil sprung.

[Jeepster376]

Originally posted by JimKshortstep4x4
I believe that a new axle might be your best option. Welding and grinding could possibly cost more than a new one with the cost of machine work being what it is.

I think maybe so too. The LMC catalog lists it for $129. which doesn't seem too bad. Though a $5 bearing race would be a lot better.

[smitty62]

I don't think welding is an option. These axles are case hardened--the weld would be too soft.

[JimKshortstep4x4]

I have had industrial machine shafts welded up and reground but it was rather expensive. The situation warranted
the repair, however. Annealing the heat treated areas first is required before welding.

Repairing a shaft for less than $129 would be difficult unless you have the capability yourself.

If you look at used, lay the axle on a flat surface and roll it to check for a bent condition.


Jim

[MOTHERTRUCKERS]

We have new axles for 101.00, you could also use an axle saver bearing, they are offset a little to get away from the worn part of the axle.

[Jeepster376]

Thanks to Ed at Mothertruckers. I've got a new axle on the way, and Mothertruckers has a new customer.