Re: Packing rear axle bearings on a 39

Posted by Spats On 2020/3/1 16:29:44

OK rear axle gurus: I replaced the inner/outer seals and repacked the bearing on the right side of my '41 160. I just reassembled with the shims back in exactly like they came out (between axle housing flange and brake support plate), used proper new gaskets in the right places. It's snug now but I need the torque spec for the 6 bolts that hold the whole thing together. Also, I have zero end play, which was not the case before disassembly. The other side has the backing plate removed, but I haven't coaxed it out yet, so that relationship was preserved. During assembly, I used the backing plate without the outer seal retainer and oil guard and sungged the bolts evenly to seat the bearing race; didn't want to lean too hard on the oil guard to seat the race. The only thing I can think of is that I outsmarted myself by doing that and got the race too far in. I wonder if it will relax with use, but really concerned about jamming the thrust block because I hear they can break. Any thoughts? Is re-shimming a common necessity when doing this job, even though one replaces the shims exactly as they came out?