When to change 8 3/4 bearings

Get the rollers and races CLEAN, that is, the parts that the rollers contact. Put any light oil in there (3-in-1, even light motor oil)--just a few drops and as you have it pictured, pull UP on the outer race to put pressure on the rollers. Turn by hand and feel for any roughness. It's hard to see in there what the races really look like.

Be critical on this "test." If it seems OK, just repack and change the inner seal if needed, and stick 'm in.


I hope you have a shop manual? Be careful to carefully adjust the end play on the one side.

By old '70 went 80K before it needed rear bearings--they were just starting to get a little noisy. That was a sixpack car and I ran the hell out of it.