Changing rear wheel bearings?

[beach]

Nothing in the Haynes manual (only front for 2wd), and searching on here can't find anything except an old thread asking the same thing with no responses? So anything particular about how to replace the rear wheel bearings? And are there any parts I should know of, like are there rear cotter pins? Getting dark and not getting under the truck right now. But was going to run out to get new cotter pins for the front as forgot them today, so don't know if theres anything for the rear I need.

 

[SoHK_alumni]

They're a bit involved, but not outrageously so:

Get the weight off the tires and remove the tire/wheels. Easy stuff.

Gotta start by removing the rear diff cover and draining the gear oil. Messy at best!! Let it drip for a while as you're doing the brakes

Remove the brake calipers and disks from the axle assembly. Once the disk is off, you can re-hang the caliper on it's bracket.

Inside the diff is a very large pin, about 1" around, has the pair of spider gears going around it. That large pin has a much smaller screw in pin holding it in place.

Unscrew the small pin, rotate the diff so you can just slide the large pin out the bottom and then remove the small pin followed by the large one.

DO NOT ROTATE THE DIFF WITH THE LARGE PIN OUT!!!! It's a PITA to get the spider gears back where they belong if you do.

I use a large "C" clamp to press the axle inwards clamping between the hub and brake caliper bracket. Once it's in far enought, you can reach into the diff and remove the "C" clip that keeps the axle from sliding out of the housing.

Repeat on the other axle.

With the axles out, you can use a slide hammer with a claw attachment to pull the bearings out of the housing.

Install the new bearings and seals, reinsert the axles.

Again, use a clamp if needed to get the axle in far enough to reinstall the "C" clip. Once in, push the axle back into place to retain the clip and repeat on the other axle.

With both axles in place, slide the large pin back into place, noting the alignment of the small pin. Use a bit of tread-lock on the small pin's threads and install/tighten the small pin.

Reinstall the rear cover, disks and wheels.

Personally, I prefer to remove the ABS sensor and pour in the correct amount of gear lube (and LSD additive if an LSD) in at the top, reinstall the abs sensor and you're done.

 

[beach]

Oh wow, I though there were rear axle bearings, and then rear wheel bearings like the front rotors. So it's just rear axle bearings? Seems like a pain, may let a shop do it lol. I don't want to mess with the different as heard of people screwing up themselves.

 

[Flash]

Oh wow, I though there were rear axle bearings, and then rear wheel bearings like the front rotors. So it's just rear axle bearings? Seems like a pain, may let a shop do it lol. I don't want to mess with the different as heard of people screwing up themselves.

Getting those spider gears back in the right place can be tricky.
You're probably right to get someone else to do it if you're not mechanistically confidant.

It's not really that hard but if you can't get the gears back in then you can't drive t to a mechanic.

 

[intelisevil]

If you're going to do it yourself, buy this: http://www.fabbriassociates.com/kitinfo.html BEFORE you take anything apart! If you don't need it, someone you know will.

I was replacing the brakes on my '99 Mounty and found gear oil leaking on the passenger rear. I could move the axle radially about 1/8". The wheel bearing and seal were shot.

If a 56 year guy who has never seen the inside of a differential before can do it with basic hand tools on a gravel driveway, you can do it! You can rent the few special tools for free from most parts stores.

This thread convinced me that I could do it: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=214805

Replace your parking brakes (even if you don't need to) while your axles are out, it's SOOO much easier.

Have Fun,