TR2/3/3A Rear Axle bearings

[Don_R]

HI all,

My father is wanting to change the rear axle bearings on the TR3. He was asking if they were pressed on the axle (like a ford) and if there are any special tools he was needing. His repair manual isnt being much help.

 

[TR3driver]

You mean the wheel bearings? Yeah, they're tough to get off. The hubs have to come off first, and they are mounted with a locking taper that frequently locks _very_ tight. As in trying to use a normal hub puller will frequently ruin the hub and still not get it off.

The bearings inside the diff are easier to get out, but choosing the right shims for the new bearings is a bit of a black art.

Edit: See page 427 of https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B2H2NJt34OffYWZiN2VlZGMtNTkxMi00NGUzLWE4NzMtMGRkODRkYzU3MDU1
for the wheel bearing procedure. Here's one man's version of the hub puller that he reports works very well:
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B2H2NJt34OffOTIyYmQ4MzgtNDM0Yy00OTY1LTljNzEtZDMyNjM5OWFkZTQ4

 

[Don_R]

Randall,

He said he was getting a rumble from one of the rear wheels and was going to change the outer axle bearings in the rear end.

 

[TR3driver]

Randall,

He said he was getting a rumble from one of the rear wheels and was going to change the outer axle bearings in the rear end.

That's what I referred to as a wheel bearing above.
My suggestion is to remove the shafts with the hubs still attached, and send them to someone with the tools to get them apart without damage.
The article I linked to above has contact info for Gene W., who I believe will still do them for just the cost of shipping. Herman van den Akker also has the tool, but I'm not sure if he still does them (or how much he charges). John Esposito would be another possibility.