1959 Rear Axle Bearings & Seals

[Jerry Sexton]

Request correct "rear" bearing and seal numbers for my 1959 car.
Much appreciate any info. and help.

[John H.]

Re: 1959 Rear Axle Bearings & Seals

If it has Positraction, it used a roller bearing, Hyatt #JRN-1542; if you can find any, they are installed with the "O"-ring (and the integral seal) to the outboard side; 1958-62 also use a ring spacer between the inboard side of the bearing and the axle housing bore, with the chamfer on the spacer facing inboard.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1959 Rear Axle Bearings & Seals

Jerry-----

If your car has positraction, the bearing that John mentioned is the best one and was available under GM #7451415. However, it's been discontinued for over 20 years. The seal for the positraction application was GM #3750294, but it's also been discontinued for well over 20 years. An automotive or industrial bearing/seal supplier might be able to cross-reference one from that number, though.

The non-posi bearing, GM #907294, is still available from GM under that part number for a current list price of $150.00 each. This bearing MAY SERVICE the posi application, too. At least, that's what GM implies, but I cannot confirm. The non-posi seal was originally GM #3749981 which was later changed to 3772999. Both are discontinued. However, once again, a bearing/seal supplier might be able to cross-reference from these part numbers.

[Al C.]

Re: 1959 Rear Axle Bearings & Seals

I too searched for o-ring seals for the 1542s.
CC sent too-skinny ones, resto people wanted $20.
I found a pack of 10, Applied Industrial Technologies, PN 01 149, for under a buck-fifty. Marked size is 2-13/16 x 3 x 3/32.
... Al '58 #378 245hp

[John H.]

Re: 1959 Rear Axle Bearings & Seals

Thanks, Al - good info for the files!