squeak in the rear wheels

farmhand66css · Post by **farmhand66css** » Sat Sep 11, 2004 6:11 am

when out for a ride the other day and heard a squeak. greased the front end. still there. greased the drive line and replaced a universal. still there finally pulled the right rear wheel and found it. Rear wheel bearing? wkhat do I do now? I have another axel from the 68, same ratio. should I just swap axels or do I attempt to replace the bearings? Never pulled a rear end apart, but then again never pulled a truck and enginie apart Till I started on the truck.

Thanks Matt

Website · Post by **wideblock** » Sat Sep 11, 2004 10:34 am

bearings in the rear are pretty easy, but require a press. take off the drum, 4 bolts that hold on the backing plate and the axle retaining plate. with these off the axle will pull out bearing and all. might take a real good tank, mine took a piece of chain bolted to the lug studs, and a 8 pound sledge acting as a "helper". bolted the chain on, with some slack, wrapped it around the head of the hammer, then put the head of the hammer against the axle and pulled, really hard, till the slack was taken out and the hammer gave a sharp yank on the chain. one side popped right out the first yank, the other took a few hits. but if you clean the bearing seat up, they go back in real easy. be sure to do all the seals while your in there. or, as a temp fix, you could just remove the axle and repack the rear bearings, they are not lubed from the axle gear oil if your seals are good! i think the book recommends repacking them at every brake shoe change.

luckybob · Post by **luckybob** » Sat Sep 11, 2004 10:37 am

as I remember the rear bearing is pressed onto the axle. There is also like 2 seals in there as well.

A royal pain in the arse if memory serves me correctly. One of the 2 axles has a clip on it holding it the right amount in and out fof the 3rd member. I dont remember exacftly but its something you may need to watch. I believe the clip is ont he passenger side. (at least on mine)

Website · Post by **wideblock** » Sat Sep 11, 2004 10:40 am

there is an adjuster on one of the axles. tighten it till you just get a bit of play in and out and your good to go. the hardest part will be getting the axles out the first time, after that its childs play if you do your maintenance right.

Jeffc · Post by **Jeffc** » Sat Sep 11, 2004 11:41 pm

Assuming that it is a D100 truck and has the 8.75 rear axle
all the above info it right, might say you don't have to pull
the center (pumpkin, 3rd member) to pull the axles.
The threaded adjuster is built into the flange that holds the axle
on the passager side and you will find a lock to hold the adjuster
in place on one of the nuts that hold the flange, the driver side has no adjuster and the axles float on a pin that is in the center.
If the grease it dry on the bearings it may be worth replacing the
bearings and I would not just repack them.
3 seals here, one in the axle tube *must replace, one with the bearing
(replace if replacing bearings), one on
the flange were it meets the axle/backing plate (replace if needed)