Author Topic: ?'s on replacing rear axle seals & bearings  (Read 1699 times)

Offline MyMopar

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?'s on replacing rear axle seals & bearings
« on: June 27, 2006 - 09:51:23 AM »
After doing a search and coming up with info on only Green Bearings for the rear axle I have a few questions.
I am NOT going with the green bearings but with the standard tapered bearing.  After reading the service manual I would like to ask these questions.

Is the adjuster for end play only on the right side of the axle?  The book makes it seem that way because it mentions seating the axle against the left bearing and then checking end play after installing the right axle assembly. 

Do I have to slide the axle out a bit each time to make a change on the adjuster?  IT seems in the diagram that it goes adjuster, flange, seal, bearing, I just looked again.  It seems that the adjuster threads into the flange on the outside of the axle then a bolt secures the adjuster once set.

Also now that I look at it will I have to remove the wheel bearing to repalce the oil seal as it looks like it is pressed onto the axle, I thought it was pressed into the housing.  Sometimes these books drive me crazy.

Lastly and most important, how will I know if the wheel bearing is bad.  My only reason for going into the rear axle is the fact that the passenger side drum and shoes are covered in gear lube.  So I thought while I am replacing the seals should I replace the wheel bearing? Any advice or links to topics that already covered this would be appreciated.
1969 (OO===]|[===OO)
1973 (OO/=====\OO) <---SOLD
1997 (O|||||O) <---SOLD

Smoke tires, not drugs!




Offline ShelbyDogg

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Re: ?'s on replacing rear axle seals & bearings
« Reply #1 on: June 27, 2006 - 02:08:49 PM »
Replace the axle seal on the leaking side only if you want to do it quickly.   The seal is less  than $5.00 at the auto parts store.  It presses into the end of the housing after you pull the axle out. Pull the axle and look inside the housing and you'll see it about 4" from the end.  Look at the bearing closely for pits. If it looks okay, grease it a little with wheel bearing grease then put a new foam gasket under the bearing retainer plate. If you have time, do both sides. You have to grease the bearing since the gear lube stays in the center.

The axle adjuster, when tightened, takes up the slack by pushing the other axle against it's bearing on the other side. I usually just keep pushing and pulling on the right axle till there is only a couple of thousands left while turning the adjuster IN.  Have the 4 of the bolts tight and leave the last one for the locking clip.  You have to allow a little bit of clearance for heat expansion. And YES, it is only on the right axle so tighten the left axle's bearing retainer before you start.
Rob

3 E-bodies, Megasquirt-1v3.0, Edelbrock Pro-Flo-1, Holley C950, FAST EZ-EFI; say no to carbs...yes to throttle bodies

My Pace Car restoration thread:
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=44869.0


Offline MyMopar

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Re: ?'s on replacing rear axle seals & bearings
« Reply #2 on: June 27, 2006 - 02:25:49 PM »
Great I knew someone would figure out what I needed to know.  My only other problem is I'm having a hard time explaining the whole foam gasket thing to the auto stores. Their books keep showing seals and while I say yes it does seal it really is a foam gasket.  I have some stuff coming in tomorrow so I guess I'll have to wait and see.

Does anyone have a P/N for the foam gasket (or proper name for auto parts guys) or something to use in it's place?
1969 (OO===]|[===OO)
1973 (OO/=====\OO) <---SOLD
1997 (O|||||O) <---SOLD

Smoke tires, not drugs!

Offline tactransman

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Re: ?'s on replacing rear axle seals & bearings
« Reply #3 on: June 27, 2006 - 04:24:35 PM »
I have used a little silicone in place of the foam gaskets. ( No parts store can ever figure out what the heck I am talking about)
Terry-tactransman 
Torqueflite/Automatic Transmission Specialist
Union, Mo.
Give a man a fish and he eats for a day,teach him to fish and he eats for a lifetime.

Offline MyMopar

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Re: ?'s on replacing rear axle seals & bearings
« Reply #4 on: June 27, 2006 - 07:23:42 PM »
Thanks.  I'll have to pick-up some made for use in grease/oil enviro. 
1969 (OO===]|[===OO)
1973 (OO/=====\OO) <---SOLD
1997 (O|||||O) <---SOLD

Smoke tires, not drugs!

Offline ShelbyDogg

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Re: ?'s on replacing rear axle seals & bearings
« Reply #5 on: June 27, 2006 - 09:48:04 PM »
Yeah, I've used silicone too.  If yo want the right gaskets, go to a Dodge dealer. They speak MOPAR.
Rob

3 E-bodies, Megasquirt-1v3.0, Edelbrock Pro-Flo-1, Holley C950, FAST EZ-EFI; say no to carbs...yes to throttle bodies

My Pace Car restoration thread:
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=44869.0