Final Drive Disassembly Question

[VinceD]

As I started to disassemble the right side final drive, I found this under the axle nut.



It appears to be a seal and after looking at the parts diagrams, I think it is item #33, "ring, rear axle nut seal". Does that sound correct?

Does this get removed BEFORE the axle is pressed down and out of the bearing and the housing? If so, any special way to remove it? Is it part of the bearing? Is it a seal on top of the bearing?

I don't want to hurt anything so I thought I would ask first.

Thanks in advance,

[Jim Becker]

Hard to tell after it has been in place for years, but it is just an o-ring (1" id x 1/8 wide). Take it off before you start pressing. You may need to cut it off with a small knife.

[VinceD]

Hi Jim,

Thanks for the info. I removed the o-ring and slowly and carefully tapped the axle out of the bearing. I carefully caught the shim (1) and spacer (1) and marked them so I will know how to assemble. Everything came apart with no problem.

Question: I want to replace the outer oil seal on the axle. Is there any safe way to remove the outer bearing without a bearing puller plate and a hydraulic press?

Thanks again for your help,

[denton]

For the larger outer bearing it is very much easier if you use a bearing splitter and a shop press. Mine took me less than 5 minutes for both shafts with my friends (pneumatic) hydraulic press. I think if you have a three arm puller long enough you could attach it to the bearing splitter. Bottom line is that you really do need a bearing splitter to keep from boogering something up. I'm sure others on the board have done it without a splitter as they are a very resourceful lot.

Good luck and don't beat on those axle shafts too much. I did and spent the next 8 hours trying to grind and rethread the LH side shaft. Less fun than I was hoping for.

denton

[cowboy]

When pounding on a shaft always put the nut on the end. And a nice block of oak is your friend

Billy

[Buzzard Wing]

I had to cry uncle on that one.... that's why I want a shop press so bad. The best way to do it was to have someone with a press, easy! I would recommend that you get the new bearings before hand (if you need em, those bearings may be good) so you can press them on at the same time.

If you are going to do it any other way, make sure you drive the bearing against the center (on the shaft) not the outside edge or cage. So, 3 jaw puller is no good.

What side the shims came off is important.

[VinceD]

I finished getting both final drives apart and cleaned today. The bearings look good and I will replace the seals.

I carefully made a diagram of what shims and spacers go where. Hopefully I can get them together in the right order.

A local machine shop will press the outboard axle bearings on and off on Friday so we can replace that outboard axle oil seal.

I want to thank everyone for their suggestions and advice. I really found it all very helpful. I don't think I would have tried this if I didn't feel such a great crew was backing me up.

Now I am almost ready to start preparing for paint.

Thanks again,

[Buzzard Wing]

No problem Vince, glad to help! Just so you know, that is the only part so far that I have taken 'out' to do, so I think you made a good choice.

Mine was a bit of a mess.... http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/Bu ... 955273.jpg

[VinceD]

Just a quick f/u:

I took the two axles to a local machine shop and he had the bearings off, the oil seal changed and the bearings back on in a few minutes. His charge was very reasonable.

So far reassembly is going smoothly. I am only waiting on the relined brake bands to put everything back together.

Thanks again to everyone for their input.