Rear Axle Bearing & Oil Seal: Installation

Using Bearing Installer (09608-20011), drive new bearing and oil seal into rear housing. To complete installation, reverse removal procedure.

1. Install inner wheel bearing in hub. Using seal driver to install oil seal. Place hub assembly on vehicle. Install outer wheel bearing and lock plate. Install brake drum. Tighten lock nut to 43 ft. lbs. (58 N.m).
2. Rotate hub several times and recheck lock nut. Using spring scale, check bearing starting preload. Adjust lock nut to obtain .9-7.3 lbs. (.4-3.3 kg) starting preload.
3. Align mark on lock nut with mark on axle housing. Install lock bolts 90 degrees from marks. Use seal driver to install oil seal in axle shaft tube. Install axle shaft.

1. Place backing plate on new bearing case. Using 2 sockets as adapters, press serration bolts into place. Flat side of bearing case and 2 long serration bolts should be on upper side of backing plate. Using press, bearing driver and support for backing plate, press new bearing into case.
2. Using seal driver, install new oil seal into bearing case. Install backing plate and bearing retainer onto axle shaft. Using press and adapter for backing plate and bearing case, press axle shaft into backing plate and bearing case.
3. Install snap ring to axle shaft. Use seal driver to install seal in housing. Coat oil seal lips with grease before final installation. Install rear axle shaft in housing. Replace 4 backing plate nuts and tighten to 51 ft. lbs. (69 N.m).
4. Connect brake line to wheel cylinder. Install drum and wheel. Fill differential with gear oil. Connect parking brake cable to equalizer and install clip and clamp bolt to frame. On 4WD vehicles, install other end of parking brake cable to bellcrank. Bleed brake system.