Axle Bearings

REMOVAL & INSTALLATION

1. Before servicing the vehicle, refer to the precautions in the beginning of this section.
2. Remove or disconnect the following:
3. Tire and wheel assembly
4. Dust cap, cotter pin, castle nut, conical spring and center piece

   NOTE: Remove the center piece by wedging flat tool between the separation while using a hammer to tap the center piece free.

   • Brake drum off by hand
   • Rear axle and bearing housing as an assembly. Press the halfshaft from the housing.
5. Position the spacer inside the housing in a radial direction to gain access to the outer bearing.
6. Place a brass drift to the outer bearing inner race. Then drive out the bearing, together with the oil by lightly tapping with a hammer.

   NOTE: Do not reuse the old bearing, the old bearing may develop abnormal noise if reinstalled.

7. Remove or disconnect the following:
   • Spacer from the housing
8. Reverse the bearing housing and drive out the inner bearing and seal.

   NOTE: Always tap around the periphery of the bearing outer race.

9. Clean and inspect the bearing inner and outer race for cracks or damage. Check for noise and binding when the outer race is turned slowly and while the inner race is held in position.
10. Clean and inspect the spacer. Check for damage and deformation. Replace as necessary.
11. For the bearing housing, wipe the inner surface with a clean cloth and check for cracks or damage. Replace as necessary.

    To install:

12. Pack the inner bearing with wheel bearing grease.
13. Install or connect the following:
    • Bearing into the housing. Press the bearing using bearing hub installer tool 92135000.
14. Coat the oil seal with grease.
15. Oil seal using installer tool 92135000 to press it into place

    NOTE: A gap between the seal lip and bearing changes oil seal lip interference, resulting in excessive wear on the lip.

16. Pack the housing with approximately 0.6 oz. (17 g) of wheel bearing grease.

    WARNING
    Do not pack excessively, otherwise it may leak from the outer bearing in the inside of the brake drum which may cause brake failure.

17. Install or connect the following:
    • Spacer in the housing
18. Pack the outer bearing with wheel bearing grease
19. Install or connect the following:
    • Outer bearing into the housing. Press the bearing using bearing hub installer tool 92135000.
    • Oil seal (coat the seal with grease prior to installation), and press the seal in using installer tool 92135000
    • Halfshaft to the bearing housing and press in place using installer tool 92232000
    • Halfshaft and housing assembly into the vehicle
    • Trailing arm to the bearing housing and install the bolt nut loosely at this time
    • Strut to the bearing housing and install the bolts and nuts loosely at this time
20. Tighten the strut-to-bearing housing bolts and nuts to 72–87 ft. lbs. (98–118 Nm), the trailing link-to-bearing housing bolt and nut to 43–58 ft. lbs. (59–78 Nm) and the spindle-to-lower arm bolt and nut to 54–69 ft. lbs. (74–93 Nm).
21. Install or connect the following:
    • Brake backing plate assembly to bearing housing and tighten the retaining bolts to 13–23 ft. lbs. (18–31 Nm)
    • Brake line bracket and brake drum
    • Center piece, conical spring and castle nut
    • Wheels and lug nuts
22. Lower the vehicle and apply the brake.
23. Tighten the axle nut to 108 ft. lbs. (147 Nm). After tightening to specifications, tighten the axle shaft nut 30 degrees further. Install a new cotter pin.