8 3/4 QUESTIONS

[CFD244]

Hi Folks

I am getting ready to swap all of the components into a cleaner housing, and have a couple of questions I'd like to bounce of you guys and gals before I get started. It's your run of the mill 1971 Suregrip in a 741 case with 3.23 gears. Here goes...........

1) The bearings are good, and I want to keep them after a good cleaning and a fresh grease job. I am however concerned about the seal in the retainer (which can't be changed without trashing the bearings). Should I be?

2) The metal gasket that goes between the axle flange and backing plate has a pressed rib around the circumference (a felpro unit). Does the raised side of the rib go towards the housing or the backing plate?

3) Does the inner axle tube seal get pressed all the way to the step in the tube?

4) Any tricks on the best way to grease these bearings while they are still on the axle? I've done tons of tapered roller bearings with the old rubber glove and the cone tool, but is there a better way for this application?

5) It's a cone type unit. Is there any issue with dunking the whole complete unit in Varsol (mineral spirits) and blowing it out (I am guessing "don't do it").

Thanks again. I appreciate everyone's input.

 

[Murray]

I don't usually concern myself too much over the outer seal. If it's leaking oil the real problem is the inner seal. In your case, new inner seals. The metal gasket can be installed either way but a little RTV will help avoid seepage. Installed bearings can be repacked by hand or use a pointed/needle head on your grease gun and inject grease between each roller. Not all rear ends will have a step in it to locate the inner seal, if you have any doubts the depth, measure the distance from the outer retainer to the bearing retainer to confirm the depth. On a good working third member I would not wash out the inside. Outside=yes, inside=no.

 

[str12-340]

following...

 

[4spdragtop]

Steel 8 3/4 gasket, which way????

 

[413]

Wipe off all grease with a rag. Clean the bearings in solvent. I use a pan and a brush, it only takes 5 minutes to clean one. Don’t submerge it and leave it soak, there is a seal in the retainer plate. Roll the bearing and get everything out. Should be spotless no dirty grease residue left. Spray out with brake cleaner and let dry or blow with air to dry.

Check the bearing it should roll smooth, hold the race and spin it on the bearing. Then pull race back and look at roller, no pitting or gouges.

Use a needle on the grease gun. Put grease in between every roller in the cage. Then pull the race back and put grease in there in 6 places around the race, pull the race on to the rollers and roll the bearing to spread out the grease. Wipe off excess and cover everything in grease. Put a film of grease in the housing where the bearing race goes in. The last photo is a packed bearing ready to install in the housing. Except wipe a very thin film of grease where the seal rides so it’s not dry to start out.

That steel gasket keeps the wheel bearing grease in and the dirt out. Don’t use sealer on it. It can go either direction. The oil is held in by the seal in the axle tube.

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[70dart340]

Wipe off all grease with a rag. Clean the bearings in solvent. I use a pan and a brush, it only takes 5 minutes to clean one. Don’t submerge it and leave it soak, there is a seal in the retainer plate. Roll the bearing and get everything out. Should be spotless no dirty grease residue left. Spray out with brake cleaner and let dry or blow with air to dry.

Check the bearing it should roll smooth, hold the race and spin it on the bearing. Then pull race back and look at roller, no pitting or gouges.

Use a needle on the grease gun. Put grease in between every roller in the cage. Then pull the race back and put grease in there in 6 places around the race, pull the race on to the rollers and roll the bearing to spread out the grease. Wipe off excess and cover everything in grease. Put a film of grease in the housing where the bearing race goes in. The last photo is a packed bearing ready to install in the housing. Except wipe a very thin film of grease where the seal rides so it’s not dry to start out.

That steel gasket keeps the wheel bearing grease in and the dirt out. Don’t use sealer on it. It can go either direction. The oil is held in by the seal in the axle tube.

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Not sure where you've been, sir, but I hope to hear more from you. I'm rebuilding a spare A body 8 3/4 I picked up years ago, and you've just answered a ton of questions I've had. I tip my hat to you.

 

[CFD244]

Thanks for everyone's reply. Just one more question.........
What is the preferred choice for sealant when installing the third member? Dry gasket only , gasket and RTV, or RTV only?

Thanks again.

 

[toolmanmike]

Wipe off all grease with a rag. Clean the bearings in solvent. I use a pan and a brush, it only takes 5 minutes to clean one. Don’t submerge it and leave it soak, there is a seal in the retainer plate. Roll the bearing and get everything out. Should be spotless no dirty grease residue left. Spray out with brake cleaner and let dry or blow with air to dry.

Check the bearing it should roll smooth, hold the race and spin it on the bearing. Then pull race back and look at roller, no pitting or gouges.

Use a needle on the grease gun. Put grease in between every roller in the cage. Then pull the race back and put grease in there in 6 places around the race, pull the race on to the rollers and roll the bearing to spread out the grease. Wipe off excess and cover everything in grease. Put a film of grease in the housing where the bearing race goes in. The last photo is a packed bearing ready to install in the housing. Except wipe a very thin film of grease where the seal rides so it’s not dry to start out.

That steel gasket keeps the wheel bearing grease in and the dirt out. Don’t use sealer on it. It can go either direction. The oil is held in by the seal in the axle tube.
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Something I need to do on one of my cars. I either didn't grease or didn't grease enough last time I was in there. Thanks for the reminder and pics.

 

[Scamp Rhonda]

Wipe off all grease with a rag. Clean the bearings in solvent. I use a pan and a brush, it only takes 5 minutes to clean one. Don’t submerge it and leave it soak, there is a seal in the retainer plate. Roll the bearing and get everything out. Should be spotless no dirty grease residue left. Spray out with brake cleaner and let dry or blow with air to dry.

Check the bearing it should roll smooth, hold the race and spin it on the bearing. Then pull race back and look at roller, no pitting or gouges.

Use a needle on the grease gun. Put grease in between every roller in the cage. Then pull the race back and put grease in there in 6 places around the race, pull the race on to the rollers and roll the bearing to spread out the grease. Wipe off excess and cover everything in grease. Put a film of grease in the housing where the bearing race goes in. The last photo is a packed bearing ready to install in the housing. Except wipe a very thin film of grease where the seal rides so it’s not dry to start out.

That steel gasket keeps the wheel bearing grease in and the dirt out. Don’t use sealer on it. It can go either direction. The oil is held in by the seal in the axle tube.

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Wow, excellent job explaining. @toolmanmike can you make a tutorial out of that? Thanks

 

[413]

Glad to help, I have my wife click some photos while greasing it. Have everything clean, clean gloves and grease gun handles. Then you can wipe and spread out the clean grease to finish it off. Don’t pack the cavity full, it needs air in there also. This photo is the right amount, a film inside the housing bore and on the seal surface of the axle.