Easy lifehacks

When do you need to replace an axle shaft bearing?

When do you need to replace an axle shaft bearing?

(See Fig. 1) Over time, the seal may also wear a groove into the axle shaft. (See Fig. 2) When this occurs it’s usually necessary to replace the axle shaft assembly, bearings and seal. A cost saving approach offered by SKF is an axle shaft repair bearing.

How are rear wheel bearings supposed to work?

Axle Repair Bearing Guide. Certain rear wheel bearings use the axle as an inner race; that is the bearing rollers ride directly on the axle shaft itself. At times, worn or pitted rollers, chipped or damaged bearings can wear a groove into the axle shaft.

Where is the bearing seat on an axle?

If the axle tube has a bearing seat on the inside of the axle tube, measure the depth from the outside edge of the axle tube to the inside seat and compare this to your repair bearing width. This measurement will ensure the repair bearing can be properly seated.

What do rear axle bearings and seals look like?

The seals should look identical unless they have been updated by the manufacturer. Once the surface has been cleaned, match the new seal to the old unit and apply sealer to the differential housing if needed. Most seals have a sealer allied to them as a thin coating, this seal uses an orange colored sealer.

How do you change an axle shaft bearings?

Next push the axles towards the center to reveal and remove a C clip retainer. With the C shaped clips removed they will easily slide out of the differential housing. When replacement is needed, often the axle bearings are pressed onto the shaft using special equipment and holding fixtures.

What kind of axle bearings do rear wheel drive cars have?

Rear wheel drive vehicles with pumpkin style differentials and solid axles have axle bearings. They are inexpensive but labor intensive to replace and diagnose. Many vehicles go to the junkyard with the original axle shafts and bearings.

How do you remove a pinion shaft on an axle?

On these types of set ups you have to remove the differential cover then remove the pinion shaft. Next push the axles towards the center to reveal and remove a C clip retainer. With the C shaped clips removed they will easily slide out of the differential housing.

Why do axle bearings make a rumbling noise?

Bad axle bearings often make a growling or rumbling sound at highway speeds. Changing lanes may cause the noisy bearing to either increase or decrease the noise level. An example is if you are in the center lane and you move to the left lane.

When do you need to replace an axle seal?

At times, worn or pitted rollers, chipped or damaged bearings can wear a groove into the axle shaft. (See Fig. 1) Over time, the seal may also wear a groove into the axle shaft. (See Fig. 2) When this occurs it’s usually necessary to replace the axle shaft assembly, bearings and seal.

How to replace a front axle shaft seal?

If you have ever owned a GM four wheel drive vehicle then there is a good chance you have had a front axle shaft seal leak. We replaced the RH output shaft seal on a Tahoe but it is the same for Silverado, Sierra,Suburban and Yukon. Part one shows details on the tear down and part two with guide you through the reassembly. Loading…

If the axle tube has a bearing seat on the inside of the axle tube, measure the depth from the outside edge of the axle tube to the inside seat and compare this to your repair bearing width. This measurement will ensure the repair bearing can be properly seated.

At times, worn or pitted rollers, chipped or damaged bearings can wear a groove into the axle shaft. (See Fig. 1) Over time, the seal may also wear a groove into the axle shaft. (See Fig. 2) When this occurs it’s usually necessary to replace the axle shaft assembly, bearings and seal.

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Ruth Doyle