Pressed rear wheel bearings

[Rufus]

I just replaced my rear wheel bearings a couple of weeks ago. I heated the new bearing retainers in a tin of 80-90 gear oil to 300 degrees in a toaster oven with a thermometer in it while I did the other work. Pulling the axle with an adapter and slide hammer is easy after removing the 4 bolts from the cover. You can leave the brake drum assy. on the van. Replace the axle oil seals and the gaskets while you are in there. Grind a cut into the old bearing retainer and use a sledge and chisel to finish splitting the old retainer. Make sure the axle is supported underneath while you are swinging away so that you dont bend the axle during removal of the retainer.Then press off the old bearing. I recommend heating the retainer before installation as heating the metal causes it to expand, thereby increasing the inside diameter of the retainer. Yes, you can slam it on there with a 20 ton press, but because this is an interference fit you are actually removing material from the axle shaft when you press it on cold. The reason you heat it in oil is so that it is heated evenly and therefore expands evenly. It isn't for lubrication as one might think. You want to remove the oil with a rag quickly after removal from the oven and before installation. I would heat it to at least 350 as even at 300 it still took a press to get it on there. (The heat transfers to the axle extremely quickly) Remember to not swap sides with the axles as they are wear mated and will most likely cause problems and extra noise and wear if you do. Use a torque wrench to evenly torque the four nuts when you go back together. Don't forget to oil the lips of the oil seals before you slide the axles in. Easy peasy.