62 Rear Wheel Bearing Play and Leaks

[Mike Harpster]

While replacing the rear brakes on my 62 I noticed some oil leakage from the bearing retainer. I removed the axle and observed the following:

- The oil leakage was coming from a section of the rear bearing retainer that was bent. Looks like someone might have tried to remove the rear axle by prying on the bearing retainer.

- There did not appear to be any gasket between the bearing retainer and the backing plate.

- Some oil/crude on the outboard side of the bearing. Not a huge amount.

- The o-ring around the bearing is in place although it looks kinda "flat"

- The bearing appears to have a lot of play. Is this normal? I think these are original style bearings because they use the shim.

Questions:

What is the most probable cause of the leak and how should I go about correcting it?

Should I replace the wheel bearing? The car makes not strange noises and the amount of play in the bearings is almost identical on both sides of the car.

I have posi rear and I have been told there is a vent that I should make sure is not blocked. Where is the vent located?

Thanks in advance the help,
Mike

[Terry D.]

Re: 62 Rear Wheel Bearing Play and Leaks

Mike
One source of the leak could be that bubba also used a screwdriver to pry the bearing out of the housing. The only way to check is to pull the axles. Check the surfaces of the axle housing for any marks or indentations. As long as you have them out I would replace the bearings, when you say the bearings have alot of play, what do you mean? The axle retainer gasket can be had from NAPA, it is made by VICTOR REINZ GASKETS and is part number J26424. The bearing is GM #7451415 is no longer avaiable, but it is I believe Hyatt part # JRN 1542, might want to check with Joe to verify this. There are many past threads about the "new" bearings being made, I suggest you look them up and make up your own mind. I have had no problems with them.

The posi vent is on the driver side on top of the axle housing, should also have a tube from the vent to above the differential. If this has been filled in you need to replace it. If you need any ore info e-mail me. Hope this helps.
Terry

[Terry D.]

Re: 62 Rear Wheel Bearing Play and Leaks

Mike
One source of the leak could be that bubba also used a screwdriver to pry the bearing out of the housing. The only way to check is to pull the axles. Check the surfaces of the axle housing for any marks or indentations. As long as you have them out I would replace the bearings, when you say the bearings have alot of play, what do you mean? The axle retainer gasket can be had from NAPA, it is made by VICTOR REINZ GASKETS and is part number J26424. The bearing is GM #7451415 is no longer avaiable, but it is I believe Hyatt part # JRN 1542, might want to check with Joe to verify this. There are many past threads about the "new" bearings being made, I suggest you look them up and make up your own mind. I have had no problems with them.

The posi vent is on the driver side on top of the axle housing, should also have a tube from the vent to above the differential. If this has been filled in you need to replace it. If you need any ore info e-mail me. Hope this helps.
Terry

[Greg G.]

Re: 62 Rear Wheel Bearing Play and Leaks

Mike, I have the same leak on my 61 and I have inspected it to see what I needed to do. There are two seals on the bearing. The o-ring on the outter part of the bearing and there is a seal on the inside of the bearing just behind the retainer which is what is leaking on mine. The problem is to replace this seal you have to press off the bearing replace the seal then press it back on with out damaging the bearing. I would not replace the bearings because I feel the Hyatt Roller bearings are better than the replacement bearings that are a ball bearing. Although a new ball bearing is better than a bad roller bearing, but since they don't make the roller bearing any more, you will have to make that call. Also there is a drain hole in the backing plate below the axle which is maybe what they were refering to. The bottom of the retainer plate has a recess that funnels the oil to the drain hole to keep the oil off the brakes. The seal is available from BCA Part #8362.

[Greg G.]

Re: 62 Rear Wheel Bearing Play and Leaks

Mike, I have the same leak on my 61 and I have inspected it to see what I needed to do. There are two seals on the bearing. The o-ring on the outter part of the bearing and there is a seal on the inside of the bearing just behind the retainer which is what is leaking on mine. The problem is to replace this seal you have to press off the bearing replace the seal then press it back on with out damaging the bearing. I would not replace the bearings because I feel the Hyatt Roller bearings are better than the replacement bearings that are a ball bearing. Although a new ball bearing is better than a bad roller bearing, but since they don't make the roller bearing any more, you will have to make that call. Also there is a drain hole in the backing plate below the axle which is maybe what they were refering to. The bottom of the retainer plate has a recess that funnels the oil to the drain hole to keep the oil off the brakes. The seal is available from BCA Part #8362.