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Replacing rear bearings

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MGretired

MGretired

Senior Member
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I have been ignoring a slight “pull” to the left while going around right hand curves, convincing myself it was a gust of wind (classic denial!). It took my wife, who also drives the B, to push me into action by complaining “the darn thing’s squirrelly in right hand curves”. Sure enough, the left rear wheel has about 1/16th – 1/8th inch play in & out. I’m assuming it’s the rear bearing as I can also hear a slight noise when I rotate the wheel. The castle nut is tight & the split pin is intact so it isn’t a loose nut. Since the maintenance book makes it seem very straight-forward (usually when I worry!), thought I’d check with the BBS about the procedure.
The following questions about R & R rear bearings:
•Is it as straight-forward as the book would have you believe?
•Can the bearings be cleaned & repacked if they still look good?
•Normal bearing grease?
•Should I do both sides even if the other side seems tight?
Thanks in advance!
Bob Doc
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If I was going to go break into it, I would go ahead and replace both sides just for the peace of mind if you will. As far as the grease...the rear bearings reside inside the boundary for the rear end lube so no bearing grease should be required. They should be lubricated by the gear oil that is in the rear end. As far as the question about reusing the bearings, there are measurements you can take between the rollers and the race to check for wear but I'm not sure what the spec would be on those bearings. If you have that much play you are probably going to find that you will be able to visually tell the bearings are bad.
JC
 
Most rear bearings come preset and if they go then it is easier to replace. I would not reuse them because it is hard to chase the rear tire and axil down the freeway when you are on three wheels.
 
I hate to throw a damper on the party, but I'm not sure it is the rear bearings. It might be, but normall when a bearing goes, you do not get in and out play, but rather side to side play. I would look inside the pumpkin.
 
Could be in the diff itself but to get there you have to pull the axles anyway. I think the problem will reveal itself once it gets opened up.
JC
 
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