8 ¾ Rear outer bearing race spinning in axle housing - 1968 Dart GTS 340

[atedepumpo]

When I pulled my axles, I noticed heat damage on the outer surface of the outer bearing races. (See attached photos.) A friend mentioned that it appears that the outer race was spinning in the axle housing. When I removed the bearings, this was confirmed since the races show marks indicating that the rollers were not rolling at some point. A little research suggests that this problem is not uncommon. I’ve seen suggestions of using Loctite on the outer races, and of using a punch to “peen” the axle housing to raise the surface a bit. Does anyone have any experience with this? Thanks.

 

[junkyardhero]

i'd forgo peening or staking anything and use loc-tite 660 bearing retaining compound here.

 

[RustyRatRod]

There's no reason to use anything. The bearing race is not a press fit, although they do sometimes get stuck. There are no witness marks on the outside of the race to indicate it was spinning. Those witness marks on the inside of the race are there because the vehicle sat up long enough to make them happen.

 

[atedepumpo]

i'd forgo peening or staking anything and use loc-tite 660 bearing retaining compound here.

Thanks. I just googled Lok-tite 660, and it looks like the perfect answer.

 

[Professor Fate]

Thanks. I just googled Lok-tite 660, and it looks like the perfect answer.

Be cautious using locktite on those races- it will make removing the axles in the future a real treat. The races are held in place by the bearing retainer, not a press fit.

 

[MOPAROFFICIAL]

Uh oh lol

 

[mopowers]

Out of curiosity, I googled the various loctite retaining compounds since they make a few different types. Pretty cool stuff. Looks like the gap dictates which one is best. 680 may be the best choice here?

Edit***

They make even more than that. Damn.

 

[65TerrorCuda]

I can vouch for 609, that stuff rules. Removal requires heat as I recall

 

[George Jets]

Put new bearings and races on the axles and hand pack them with wheel bearing grease.

Reinstall with proper gaskets and seals to keep moisture out.

Set proper end play for axle bearings, not getting them too tight as to burn the bearings and races.

Over time the old grease dries out then the bearing starts turning hard and working on the race.

Those axle bearings are not something that gets serviced as often as should be. Out of sight out of mind... then eventually give trouble as in the worn axle bearings you have.

Like front wheel bearings, they need to be repacked from time to time.


.

 

[atedepumpo]

There's no reason to use anything. The bearing race is not a press fit, although they do sometimes get stuck. There are no witness marks on the outside of the race to indicate it was spinning. Those witness marks on the inside of the race are there because the vehicle sat up long enough to make them happen.

Thanks. I think my original photo of the outer race wasn’t very clear. Not to be a contrarian, but I think these new photos do show evidence of the race spinning in the housing. If you can zoom in, there are circumferential lines and heat marks. I wish I had checked to see if the side-to-side lash was too tight or loose before I disassembled it. The grease was pretty dried out, and was likely original.

 

[atedepumpo]

Out of curiosity, I googled the various loctite retaining compounds since they make a few different types. Pretty cool stuff. Looks like the gap dictates which one is best. 680 may be the best choice here?

View attachment 1716514514

Edit***

They make even more than that. Damn.

View attachment 1716514516

This is good information. Of course, now I’m getting anxious since it’s likely that someday I would want to remove the axles again. It appears that heat is required to remove some of the Loctite types, and the shop manual cautions against that. Hmm, maybe one of these other types of Loctite is the answer.

 

[George Jets]

Looking more like the roller bearing cage and roller bearings were stuck to the outter race from lack of grease and sitting in the same place for a long time.

Hence the stuck roller bearings were sliding (not turning) as the inner race was turning with the axle creating heat.

.

 

[Professor Fate]

How does the slip fit on that side compare to the opposite side? Remember- the bearing races are designed to slip into the housings with minimal effort. The races, by design, are held in place in the housing ends by the retainer on one side and the retainer/adjuster on the other. The race needs to be able to move, or you will never be able to adjust axle end play.
The bearing cone is fixed, the race isn't.

 

[dr dodge]

I used to put a couple dabs of non hardening aviation permatex
also saw cars where the bearings were poorly greased.
you have to pack the bearing well, not smear on just a little grease.

 

[atedepumpo]

Looking more like the roller bearing cage and roller bearings were stuck to the outter race from lack of grease and sitting in the same place for a long time.

Hence the stuck roller bearings were sliding (not turning) as the inner race was turning with the axle creating heat.

View attachment 1716514630


.

I think you're correct. I posted a couple new pictures above that I think show evidence of the outer race spinning in the housing. The grease was likely original.

 

[Mattax]

I'm now not convinced that is evidence of the outer race spinning.
If the rollers were locked to the race there would be damage all around it and would have been smokin hot.

 

[atedepumpo]

How does the slip fit on that side compare to the opposite side? Remember- the bearing races are designed to slip into the housings with minimal effort. The races, by design, are held in place in the housing ends by the retainer on one side and the retainer/adjuster on the other. The race needs to be able to move, or you will never be able to adjust axle end play.
The bearing cone is fixed, the race isn't.

This is a good point that the outer races need to move to adjust end play. I posted more pictures above that show that both outer races (driver and passenger side) were likely spinning. As I mentioned in other replies, the grease was dried out, and was likely original. New bearings are supposed to arrive today. I will see how they fit in the axle housing.

 

[Mattax]

I think you'll know when you drive the race into the housing whether its free to spin or not. If its that loose, then pop it out.
The axle race and oil seal I've always had the parts store or a shop do. So I'm no help on that outer ends.

 

[Professor Fate]

This is a good point that the outer races need to move to adjust end play. I posted more pictures above that show that both outer races (driver and passenger side) were likely spinning. As I mentioned in other replies, the grease was dried out, and was likely original. New bearings are supposed to arrive today. I will see how they fit in the axle housing.

View attachment 1716514636

View attachment 1716514637

I see no evidence of the races spinning. Possibly overheating due to poor lubrication, but not spinning. Remember- the races are hardened steel, the housing ends are simply mild steel. If the races were spinning, the damage would be to the housing ends and not to the races; the housing would be galled beyond recognition. Yours look relatively unscathed.

 

[Professor Fate]

I think you'll know when you drive the race into the housing whether its free to spin or not. If its that loose, then pop it out.

That's the part that's tripping everyone up here- the race does not get driven into the housing (like a front wheel bearing does). It is loosely captured on the axle between the bearing cone and the retainer/axle flange. It is the bearing cone with retaining ring that is pressed onto the axle shaft, the race needs to remain somewhat "loose" (ie NOT a press fit) to allow for axle endplay adjustment (this is the complete opposite of how a front wheel bearing adjusts- but accomplishes the same thing).

 

[Mattax]

Right you are.

Only the oil seal is pressed in.

 

[Mattax]

My excuse is that I confused it with the AMC 20. Yea. I know. Lame. LOL

 

[Professor Fate]

My excuse is that I confused it with the AMC 20. Yea. I know. Lame. LOL

I know the feeling- when you work on a bunch of different stuff sometimes you have to stop, sit back, and think "How exactly did such-and-such go together?"

 

[jos51700]

You'll get those same lines installing the bearing if it chatters (talks) at all going in. Those don't look like heat marks to me at all. Just regular oil staining from not being a super tight fit.

What's the comic underneath the axle?

 

[65TerrorCuda]

Was the axle leaking or making noise? Why did you decide to dig into it? Sorry if I missed that part.