VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND NEWER 1949-1954 how do you remove rear wheel bearings?

hello all-

I just got the rear axle housing on my 51' chevy four door back from being repainted. Since the housing is a used one, (mine is cracked) I was planning on removing the bearings and cleaning them up, repacking with grease and re-installing them with also a new bearing seal. This weekend I tried to remove the outermost portion, (bearing retainer?)that supposedly taps right off, it didn't. I didn't want to bend things up so I stopped, and then tried to remove the bearing and seal by taking a piece of pipe the same diameter as the bearing and inserted the pipe from the opposite end of housing and tapped the pipe, basically like pushing the bearing out. What other methods can I use to remove the bearing and seal? I have not found the bearing puller that is shown in the Chevrolet repair manual. Napa has a tool that is "J" shaped, with a sliding weight. Would this tool work?

Can I pull out the old bearings, clean, repack and re-install? If not, how can I just pull out the bearing seal and replace?

Any help will be appreciated!

51 Steve

The J type bearing remover and a slide hammer will work.The bearing will most likely be damaged in the process and will need to be replaced.The roller bearings on these models seldom required replacing.The inner race is the surface on the axle shat itself.It must be smooth also.The bearings do not require repacking.They are lubricated from the gear oil in the housing.The seal can be pryed out with the inner end of the axle shaft or a bent pry bar.Would recommend replacing the seals for sure.

Thanks Gene,

After I posted this question, I checked with the only parts supplier I hadn't yet contacted in town. Yes, they had a three jaw bearing puller. Monday night I pulled the bearings out without too much of a problem, although the bearing retaining ring was a bit bent, but I was told I could flatten that with a hammer. Now I've got another question to post!

Thanks again.