Rear wheel hub bearing and grease seal (full-floating axle) – removal, installation and adjustment

10.5-inch and 11.5-inch ring gear axles

Removal

1. Remove the axleshaft (Rear axleshaft – removal and installation).

2. Remove the retaining ring and key from the end of the axle housing.

3. Remove the hub nut, using a special socket available at most auto parts stores.

4. Pull the hub and bearing assembly straight off the axle tube.

5. Remove and discard the oil seal from the back of the hub.

6. To further disassemble the hub, use a hammer and a long bar or drift punch to knock out the inner bearing, cup (race) and oil seal.

7. Remove the outer retaining ring, then knock the outer bearing and cup from the hub.

Installation

8. Clean the old sealing compound from the seal bore in the hub.

9. Use solvent to clean the bearings, hub and axle tube. A small brush may prove useful; make sure no bristles from the brush embed themselves in the bearing rollers. Spray the bearings with brake system cleaner, which will remove the solvent and allow the bearings to dry much more rapidly.

10. Carefully inspect the bearings for cracks, wear and damage. Check the axle tube flange, studs and hub splines for damage and corrosion. Check the bearing cups (races) for pitting or scoring. Worn or damaged compo­nents must be replaced with new ones.

11. Lubricate the bearings, races and the axle tube contact areas with wheel bearing grease. Work the grease completely into the bearings, forcing it between the rollers, cone and cage.

12. Reassemble the hub by reversing the disassembly procedure. Use only the proper size bearing driver when installing the new bearing cups (races), and make sure they are driven in straight and completely.

13. Make sure the axle housing oil deflector is in position. Place the hub assembly on the axle tube, taking care not to damage the oil seals.

14. Install the hub nut and adjust the bear­ings as described below.

Adjustment

15. Rotate the hub, making sure it turns freely.

16. While rotating the hub in the normal direction of rotation (forward), tighten the hub nut to 22 ft-lbs with a torque wrench. Again, this will require the special socket, which is available at most auto parts stores.

17. Back the nut off 1/4-turn, then tighten the nut hand-tight (just enough to remove the freeplay in the bearing) with the special socket.

18. Turn the nut to align the closest slot in the nut with the keyway in the spindle, then install the key.

19. Install the retaining ring in the end of the spindle.

20. Try to wiggle the hub assembly; you shouldn’t be able to detect any play, but the hub should turn freely (there shouldn’t be any preload on the bearings, but there shouldn’t be any freeplay, either). If necessary, repeat the adjustment procedure.

21. Install the axleshaft (Rear axleshaft – removal and installation).

12.8-inch ring gear (302RBI) axles

Removal

22. Remove the axleshaft (Rear axleshaft – removal and installation).
23. Remove the hub nut, using a special socket available at most auto parts stores.

24. Remove the hub and brake disc assem­bly. Caution: This assembly is heavy. Take care to avoid dropping it.

25. Remove the outer bearing from the hub, then drive out the oil seal using a hammer and a long punch or a seal removal tool.

26. Remove the inner bearing.

27. Drive out the bearing races using a hammer and a brass drift to avoid damaging them.

28. Refer to Steps 9 through 12 to service and install the bearings.

Installation

29. Carefully install the hub and rotor assem­bly. Note: It may be easiest to have an assis­tant help you with this. The assembly is heavy and the seal is easily damaged during instal­lation.

30. Install the hub nut with its attached washer, lining up the washer’s tab with the groove in the housing.

31. Using the special socket and a torque wrench, tighten the nut to the torque listed in this Chapter’s Specifications.

32. Refer to Section Rear axleshaft – removal and installation to complete the installation procedure.