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| | | | Joined: May 2009 Posts: 15 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: May 2009 Posts: 15 | hello, just picked up a 33 1.5 ton chevy truck and was wondering are the rear wheel bearings packed in grease and accessible by removeing the bolts and flange or are they lubbed by gear lube in differential? I have a feeling theyre greased but dont want to disassemble if there is no reason. if any one can help, thanks alot! | | | | | Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 4,961 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 4,961 | There is an exploded view in the parts book and it only shows an inner seal which leads one to believe the rear wheel bearings ran in gear lube. Some rears had two seals, an inner and an outer and they require bearings to be packed in grease, but it doesn't appear that is the case. If the wheel turns smooth, I would leave well enough alone. | | | | | Joined: Feb 2006 Posts: 1,867 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Feb 2006 Posts: 1,867 | I think Chevy used only gear oil, while some GMCs used both.
It certainly wouldnt hurt to pull the axles/hubs and check out the condition of the bearings. You might catch something now, that will save you a costly repair in the future.
Plus after sitting for a length of time youll probably want to replace the grease seals before watching the gear oil run out onto the brakes. Just a thought.
Jeff | | | | | Joined: Mar 2009 Posts: 93 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Mar 2009 Posts: 93 | I can't say for a 33 but my 47 is gear lubed from the differential. To check just pull the cover off the center of the hub that hides the axle. If it's gear lubed moving the axle slightly out should start to make a mess (oil will start running out. Trust me I should know after having the hubs off 5 times... | | | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 1,997 Big Bolt Forum Co-moderator | | Big Bolt Forum Co-moderator Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 1,997 | I would take it apart.. but I just love taking things apart. It's so much faster than putting it back together. Seriously, if the truck has sat for any amount of time I would redo them.
A day without laughter is a day wasted- Charlie Chaplin
When wrestling a grizzly bear, you have to keep at it until the bear gets tired, not when you get tired. 1948 Chevy 2-Ton | | | | | Joined: May 2009 Posts: 15 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: May 2009 Posts: 15 | Thanks so much for all the responses! I would like to add that upon loosening the brake linkages and s cams etc I came across as a greenhorn, a grease cup around back of the backing plate directing toward where the wheel bearings would be, so this answers part of my question. However There is after allowing to set a day a little gear lube smelling fluid seeping from the seal on the drivers side. As one of you guys said some GM,s used lube and grease. I would like to had thought I could leave it alone but with this leak guess I need to do something to avoid future problems as you guys mentioned. Might be inner and outer seals, I'll have to get a break down for this rear end and get some seals and gaskets etc. And yes this truck sat almost sixty years in a barn, but has low milage so not a lot of wear to the mechanical parts i have been into thus far. Engine sounds good, Lights and guages work. Hope to have on road sometime in july. Very exciteing becomeing a stovebolter. Still open to suggestions on these 1933 1 1/2 ton rear wheel bearings. Thanks, Ken | | |
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