Hi,

I've chased this vibration down for 6 mos. now, done front WB's (cuz they are easy and at 180,000 miles is good anyway; they were spent when I took 'em out). My buddy (not a newbie but not always available) helped me confirm my rear WB's need changing too, and are likely the cause of the growling I'm hearing (as it gets worse, it's become easier to diagnose, LOL)....so I am pulling my axles out this weekend, and going to have my mechanic do the pressing work, with me supplying parts. I want to get this done in 1, with little delay, so I gotta get the right stuff!

- I know I have to get the bearings (duh), and am going to do the axle oil seals myself while I'm waiting on the axles, so I can stay out of there later hopefully. Do you guys think I oughtta bring along the 'retainers', too? Or do the old ones get reused? Might have to order those if I should change them....how about the 'outer seal' ?

- Also - I don't have the 2 1/8 socket....are the axle seals like the oil seals on the inside of the front hubs? In that you can lightly start them with a ball peen and then use a piece of 2x4 to seat them? Or do I really need to drive them with something the same diameter (the socket)?

I'm leaving the brakes on the plates (they have plenty of meat left) and hope they don't get in the way. He'll pull 'em if they do (for a price...).

Thanks for any suggestions!

 

If it were mine, I'd reuse the retainers and snap rings. As for the outer axle shaft seals, this is the best time to do those too...unless you think they'll last until the next time the bearings need changed. Better just to do them now though, if you can afford to. And yes, the inner seals can be tapped in any old which way you please. Having a perfect sized driver of some sort is convenient...but hardly necessary.

FYI, the FSM says the inner & outer axle seals, bearing case o-rings, and the snap rings(for the bearing retainers) are all non-reusable parts. Though, it then goes on to tell you that you may reuse the inner & outer axle seals, IF they pass inspection for excessive wear and/or damage. But the bearing retainers are reusable.

 

Thanks, Hippy. I'll just grab everything but the retainers, then, and hope he doesn't play games cutting the retainers off or anything! Seems like they should slide right out with a press, though.

Ya, the axle seals are like $6, so they'll get a change too. Last thing I want is to see a puddle on one side or the other in a few months, lol.

 

New bearings came with retainers, and picked up the oil seal. Off to the shop they go....
Doing my axle seals tomorrow; got it all apart today.

Well - I suppose your backing plates shouldn't have 1/8" of 'wobble' to them, so changing these out was a good idea!! LOL