The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop '53 3100 Rear axle bearings & seals

While re-doing the rear brakes I decided to replace the rear axle seals and inspect the bearings. Visually, the bearings look good with no noticeable wear on them or the axle shafts so I will not try to replace them.

Any recommendations on cleaning up the old oil sludge in them from sitting for many years? Also, advice on what proper tool to use to seat the new seals? Do FLAPs rent those tools? Thanks.

There is no good way to clean those out without pulling it out & washing out or disasemble & hot tank the housing. I put new grease in it & run it a month or so & change it again. 3/4 drive sockets make good seal drivers. If you are careful you can tap it in working around without damageing it.

That sounds good...thanks!

...if you don't have a socket that will fit the seal diameter I have used a block of wood. I'm lucky as I have a set of seal/race drivers that I purchased years ago. I think they are still availble at a lot of stores for around 20 bucks for the simply smaller ones.
As George said, its sort of hard to clean out the housing but depending on where its sitting you may decide to put something like purple power in the housing and even pull a rag down through the housing since you have the axles out. I honestly cleaned mine out with a degreaser and then stuck the water hose in it and washed it out...then pulled the rags through it and let it air dry in the hot sun for a day. Then lube it up good!!

Alvin, that's not a bad idea. I've been using the purple power to degrease my brake parts so I will give it a try...thanks!