Re: 1961Rear ael bearings

[Bob Malone #35242]

John, now that we are revisiting this, why is necessary to turn the seal around?

[John H.]

Re: 1961Rear ael bearings

Because the 607 replacement bearing has the seal on the inboard side, which blocks the flow of lubricant to the bearing; it needs to go on the outboard side, so lube can get to the bearing, but not through the outboard side to the brakes.

[John M.]

Re: 1961Rear ael bearings

Bob you reverse the seal within the bearing because a seal is intended to have the lip angled back toward the liquid you are trying to prevent from leaking out. The easy way to tell is that the side with the spring is turned toward the lubricant. This is most important on any seal which may have a pressure differential accross it as the pressure makes the seal squeeze against the shaft harder and seal better. I don't know if it will truly make any difference on axle bearings since there is no differential, but you might as well do it right if you are going to do it. I failed to flip my seals when I put the bearings on my 60 a couple of years ago and just have not been willing to press the bearings off to rectify. Only time will tell if they ever leak!

Regards, John McGraw

[Bob Malone #35242]

Re: 1961Rear ael bearings

I understand why you remove the dust shield because it goes on the inboard side but why do you need to reverse the seal that ends up on the outboard side?

[John M.]

Re: 1961Rear ael bearings

Bob, read my response above. A Grease seal is intended as a direction specific device. Regards, John

[Richard E.]

Re: 1961Rear ael bearings What about Posi?

I follow the logic of the replacement bearing modification for the non posi axles. Any similar mods for posi axles, or os the design different? Thanks - Dick

[John H.]

Re: 1961Rear ael bearings What about Posi?

Dick -

The axles and housings are the same, but the bearings are different; open diff cars used ball bearings, Posi cars used roller bearings. However, the roller bearings are virtually impossible to find, so the ball-type 607 replacement bearing services both types these days. In either case, for longevity, the inboard side of the bearing needs to be open to the diff lube (with the outboard side sealed to keep lube off the brakes).