Rear Axle Shaft Bearing & Oil Seal: Installation
- Check axle shaft for .004" (.10 mm) runout. Apply multipurpose type grease (SAE J310a, NLGI 2EP) to outside circumference of bearing outer race. Press race into bearing case using installer (MB990937) and driver (MB990938). Follow same procedure for oil seal, using different installer (MB990935).
- Slide bearing case and wheel bearing over axle shaft. Apply grease to roller surfaces of bearing inner race. Install rear brake assembly, bearing case and rear inner race to axle shaft. Press bearing inner race onto axle shaft using installer (MB990799).
- Apply sufficient grease on bearing rollers and axle threads. Install washer, lock washer (tab aligned with axle shaft), and lock nut (chamfer toward lock nut) in order. Tighten lock nut with tightening tool (MB990785) to 131-159 ft. lbs. (177-215 N.m). Bend tabs on lock washer into slots of lock nut.
- Apply grease to oil seal area of rear axle housing. Drive new oil seal into end of rear axle housing, using installer (C-4572) and driver (MB990938). Adjust clearance between bearing case and rear axle by inserting .04" (1 mm) shim and "O" ring into left rear axle housing.
- Apply semi-drying sealant to mating surface of bearing case. See Figure. Install left axle shaft into rear housing and tighten nuts diagonally to 36-43 ft. lbs. (50-60 N.m).
- Install right axle shaft without shims and "O" ring. Temporarily tighten to about 4-5 ft. lbs. (6 N.m). Using a feeler gauge, measure clearance between bearing case and rear axle housing.
- Remove right axle shaft. Install shims, equal to measurement plus .002-.008" (.05-.20 mm), and "O" ring to right rear axle housing. Shims are available from .002" (.05 mm) to .078" (2 mm) thicknesses. Apply semi-drying sealant to mating surface of bearing case. See Figure. Install axle into housing, tightening nuts diagonally to 36-43 ft. lbs. (50-60 N.m).
- Using dial indicator, check axle shaft for .002-.008" (.05-.20 mm) end play. If not correct, use different size shim.