68 GTX Rear Axle Bearing Help

An 8 3/4 sure grip will have the thruse button in the center. It "usually" will stay in place when removing the axles. That's probably what you're talking about. A standard open differential does not have the thrust button so there's nothing to worry about there. Remove the wheels and drums. remove the nits holding the retaining plate and backing plate to the housing flange. See if the axle will slide out. It probably will not. If it doesn't, try attaching a length of chain, each end to a wheel stud and run a wheel nut down to hold it on. Stick a hammer in the chain and snatch using the hammer as a pulling weight. The axle should slide out. If it's really stuck, you'll need an axle puller and slide hammer to pull it out. After the new bearings are pressed on and everything reassembled, here's how "I" adjust the bearing end play. With the drums still off, go to the driver's side axle and with a hammer tap in on the axle towards the center of the car. This puts all of the end play on the passenger's side where the adjustment is. Now go to the passenger's side. Gently push the passenger side axle in WITHOUT letting it move the driver's side axle and pull it back out. This is movement in and out is the axle end play. The correct way to measure it is wian t dial indicator. I think the spec is like .006-.008" something like that. I've done so dang many I can do it be feel. Just remember, if you push the passenger's side axle in to far and move the driver's axle, you'll have to go back around and tap the driver's axle back in again and start over.