Rear Axle Bearings & Oil Seal (Ram-50): Installation

1. Apply Multipurpose Grease (SAE J310) to oil seal. Install oil seal using seal driver. Apply grease to outside circumference of bearing outer race. Apply grease to lip of oil seal and to roller surfaces of bearing inner race.
2. Press the bearing onto the axle shaft. Install rear brake assembly and bearing case. Pack the bearing case and axle threads with grease. Install lock washer (tab aligned with axle slot) and lock nut (chamfer toward lock washer). Tighten nut to specification. Refer to the TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS (RAM-50 PICKUP)  table.
3. Bend tabs on lock washer into slots of lock nut. Apply grease to oil seal area of rear axle housing. Adjust clearance between bearing case and rear axle by inserting .04" (1.0 mm) shim and "O" ring into left rear axle housing.
4. Apply semi-drying sealant to mating surface of bearing case. Install left axle shaft into rear housing and tighten nuts diagonally to 36-43 ft. lbs. (50-58 N.m).
5. Install right axle shaft without shims and "O" ring. Temporarily tighten to about 53 INCH lbs. (6 N.m). Using a feeler gauge, measure clearance between bearing case and rear axle housing.
6. Remove right axle shaft. Install shims to equal bearing case-to-axle housing clearance plus .002-.008" (.05-.20 mm). Install "O" ring to right rear axle housing. Apply sealant to mating surface of bearing case. See Fig 2.
7. Install axle into housing, tightening nuts diagonally to 36-43 ft. lbs. (50-58 N.m). Using dial indicator, check axle shaft for .002-.008" (.05-.20 mm) end play.

Fig 1: Removing Rear Axle Bearing

Courtesy of MITSUBISHI MOTOR SALES OF AMERICA.

Fig 2: Applying Sealer to "O" Ring & Shim

Courtesy of MITSUBISHI MOTOR SALES OF AMERICA.