I'm replacing the rear wheel bearings in a 1973 Maverick housing. I ordered Timkin bearings from Rockauto (#RW207CCRA). What I got looks similar and appears to be the same dimensions but they are sealed rather than needing to be packed with grease. Also, they don't slide as easy into the housing as the old ones. I am guessing that this is just because they are new. I am wondering if there is anything special I need to do during install or maintenance. Please post if you have any experience with sealed bearings. I'd rather get different ones now than finding out I need to change them after I have them pressed on the axle shafts.
There are a few bearings that are exposed, but stock Maverick ones are not. They do get pressed onto the axle, and should be a tight, but easy fit into the housing.
They are supposed to be sealed. They should go into the axle tubes just as easily as the originals. I did this last summer. By the way, they're all made in China now. Timkin, National, SKF, etc. Should be fine though.
The axle bearings on my 9 inch axles are sealed and they have to get pressed on the axles along with a retaining ring - they do go easily into the rear end housing - shouldn't be any different with 8 inch axles
You guys rock! Thanks for the responses. The bearing I cut off had the seal missing and showed discoloration due to heat. I have no doubt this bearing was near failure. Good thing it wasn't on my car...just a donor. I am upgrading to five lug and disc brakes on mine which is a '71.
The problem with these rears is that the interference pressed on axle bearings are all that holds the axles in the rear - bearing fails, axle comes out through the retainer
I've never seen that happen. It's a lot safer design than C-clip retainers at the ends of the axles where they go into the differential.
We lost an axle that way in a stock car back in 1981 when the bearing let go in a front load Pontiac rear that we had in a Nova - running 9 inch rears in all of my circle track stock cars since, I never lost an axle - just that one time
I've seen it happen a time or two.. but you're definately right on the money there. I can't even remember all the c-clip failures I've seen through the years too. Used to be that I'd see Mustangs and Camaro's lose an axle on the line almost every month(or less) for a while back in the early 90's. lol In fact.. I use the eliminators on any higher powered car I own and drive hard. Was one of the first things I did to my Blazer shortly after I bought it many years ago. It sure makes for one hell of a wild ride if you make it all the way to the end of first or even well into second gear before she slides out on you.
I've never seen the axle come out either. I have seen the bearing fail to the point where the axle parted at the bearing (melted from the heat built up)
As for the sealed bearing, seems to me I recall the inside, side of the bearing, the seal used to be removed so that the bearings got oiled from the rearend lube.
Mine are sealed, but there is an axle seal to prevent fluid leakage just inside of the retainer. If this seal is damaged, it likely will leak out between the outer race and housing. That might also explain why some guys put silicone around the outer bearing race.
Yea, you're right about the outer seal. Been so long since I saw it, but seems I recall removing the inner seal from the bearing to let it lubricate with the gear lube.
