rear axle bearings

[ZOSO]

Had a mishap on my way to the breakfast.


So my question is whats a better option. WH offers 2 styles. Ball bearing or tapered bearing. which would you do and why?

[Viperwolf1]

The tapered bearings are stronger. But you need to change to the external seal which can leak.

[ZOSO]

Found out that the tapered bearings WH sell will not fit factory axles. Only for the aftermarket HD shafts. So that answers that for me too.

[Justin]

Phil, correct me if I'm wrong, but only the big bearing housings can run the factory sized tapered bearings, correct?

[trei75bronco]

I had a 74-75 medium bearing axle with a taper bearing. I think it's made for all of them but only for after market axles

[Viperwolf1]

Phil, correct me if I'm wrong, but only the big bearing housings can run the factory sized tapered bearings, correct?

Right. That medium duty bearing has the HD outer size and probably something like the light duty bearing inner size. I don't have the measurements for the oddball axle. There is supposed to be a tapered bearing that will work though.

SMALL (LD) BEARING DIM'S...2.835" O.D. / 1.376" I.D.
LARGE (HD) BEARING DIM'S...3.150" O.D. / 1.531" I.D.

[crawlercreations]

Had a mishap on my way to the breakfast.


So my question is whats a better option. WH offers 2 styles. Ball bearing or tapered bearing. which would you do and why?

I saw the video you posted. Look that axle over closely before pressing a new bearing on. My brother in laws was a little worse than that and the axle was toast. Bearing ate it up. Couldn't tell until the old bearing was off. Good luck!

[ZOSO]

Im gonna go through the whole thing. I do have a fear the axle is toast.

[Viperwolf1]

31 splines are calling.

[ZOSO]

They are but dont have the funds for a 31spline arb.

[ZOSO]

I did find out some info the past few days. For the last 39 years this bronco has been in the family the bearings have never been replaced. So 41yrs old and 162k miles with lots and lots of wheelin.

[Booger]

And he found the passenger side to be bad as well. Now to get them replaced and ready to go for the summer wheeling season.

[ZOSO]

Ok got the axle apart this weekend. This is what I found. The drivers side bearing fell apart when I tried to press it off. The bearing surface on the shaft looks good. Splines are a little twisted. Im gonna new bearings on it and go for now. No point in spending money on new shafts when I want to go 31 spline soon. The centering hole in the spring perch is ovaled out too. So i'll be adding WH big perches.

[sykanr0ng]

From what the axle experts say spline twist is actually normal and expected, needs to go to about a spline off before replacement.

Absorbing shock is better than shattering from it.

[ZOSO]

Phil, correct me if I'm wrong, but only the big bearing housings can run the factory sized tapered bearings, correct?

Right. That medium duty bearing has the HD outer size and probably something like the light duty bearing inner size. I don't have the measurements for the oddball axle. There is supposed to be a tapered bearing that will work though.

SMALL (LD) BEARING DIM'S...2.835" O.D. / 1.376" I.D.
LARGE (HD) BEARING DIM'S...3.150" O.D. / 1.531" I.D.

Add this to your stash of info. Just measured my "medium duty" bearing. From the factory is 3.148" O.D. / 1.525 I.D So that makes it as to use a standard large bearing.

[Viperwolf1]

Phil, correct me if I'm wrong, but only the big bearing housings can run the factory sized tapered bearings, correct?

Right. That medium duty bearing has the HD outer size and probably something like the light duty bearing inner size. I don't have the measurements for the oddball axle. There is supposed to be a tapered bearing that will work though.

SMALL (LD) BEARING DIM'S...2.835" O.D. / 1.376" I.D.
LARGE (HD) BEARING DIM'S...3.150" O.D. / 1.531" I.D.

Add this to your stash of info. Just measured my "medium duty" bearing. From the factory is 3.148" O.D. / 1.525 I.D So that makes it as to use a standard large bearing.

Good to know.