The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts 1955 timken rear 2 speed axle bearings and race removal

Has anyone replaced the inner and outer hub bearings and races without chevys special tools?

From your title your saying rear axle. Not many special tool referenced the shop manual. I am assuming your mean 1st series 55 as well. here is the link
http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/trans/55stsra/index.html

Of course a press is great if you have one.

Yes, first series 1955. The manual you referenced is only for the differential. I'm servicing the bearings and races in the outer hubs. The chevrolet truck shop manual list a few different special tools.

Then you should just have the one bearing and race on the outside. slide hammer is what you need to pull seal and bearing. amazon, harbor freight special will get job done and very useful tool for lots of things.
also pickup bearing install kit so it makes it easier to hammer in nice and level and used on all wheels if needed for bearing races.

i found it a lot easier to buy the right tool the first time if its basic tools that can be used for lots of things. Saves a lot of frustration and headache and cussing. leaves a lot more time for the enjoying. The "special tools lists" in the shop manual if for doing a full rebuild on the diff and axle but for the bearings and seals on any year make and model its just a slide hammer, a bearing press kit. and maybe a punch or two with a hammer, rubber hammer is nice to have around as well.

He said 2 speed axle, which is only available on the big trucks with full floating axle shafts, so he's going to have both inner and outer bearings and races on the hubs.

Races can be removed with a punch from the opposite side of the hub, but you need to be careful to keep them lined up as they come out, not cocked. The service manual covers the procedure for the front hubs (Link (from 54 Shop Manual)), and for the rear full floating hubs like you have, the procedure will be similar. The special tool for the race removal is basically a punch. For race re-installation, a set of bearing drivers is definitely recommended to keep them straight, although I have done the job (on smaller trucks) with a punch after starting them with a block of wood across the race.

The only tool I'm wondering if I need is the J-5670 to remove the locking nut and adjusting nut. The inner wheel bearing I'm not sure about, the puller J-918-A uses a chain and plate that drops thru the bearing then you rotate a threaded handle in the clamping device to pull the bearing out. I'll have to see if the bearing can be driven out rather than being pulled out. I have a set of bearing and seal drivers and a slide hammer with the attachment to use a bolt. It's going to be interesting 🤔

The 3/4 and 1 ton rear axle section of the service manual also covers rear hub bearing R&R (page 4-11 in the 47-51 edition). 1-1/2 and 2-ton axle rear hub bearings are covered on page 4-22 those should be the same as on the 2-speed axle. It looks like there's a snap ring retainer for the outer bearing race.

I'd guess that the inner bearing, race and seal could be removed with a slide hammer puller.

As far as the notched bearing nut, you can get those off with a hammer and drift, but should have the special tool to reinstall them as it's kinda hard to get to the proper torque with a hammer and drift.

This part of the process made me laugh.🤣 Quote"" remove the bearing by driving on the axle shaft spacer using an end cut off a old axle shaft" I guess back in the day everybody had a old axle shaft laying around the shop. Lol

Hey, I've got a couple old axle shafts in my shed.
But I didn't read that part. It is pretty funny.

Things were high tech back then!! Could you cut off a piece and ship it to me. Just kidding, I have a old 4' pry bar I can cut down.

Chevys till I d At home 60 yrs ago we had axle tails and flanges cause my Dad made pivot pins for my uncles back hoe ! Of course our junk-pile was tremendous. Those axles made a tough pin !!

I have a friend that makes knives out of old axles. Said the old steel is superior compared to the mostly chinese steel made today