Re: Packing rear axle bearings on a 39

Posted by JWL On 2019/2/11 12:13:54

ST 5100 must be some kind of a grease injection tool. Probably devised to save dealer labor time for a bearing repack servoce. A better way is outlined below. There is no need to remove the bearing from the axle to repack it with grease.

Here is how I would do it.

Remove axle from housing.

Clean axle and bearing thoroughly being careful not to introduce any foreign material in bearing.

Inspect bearing and race, still in the housing, thoroughly.

Pack bearing with any modern wheel bearing grease, if bearing and race considered to be in serviceable condition.

Replace new bearing and race, if bearing and/or race show wear.

Install new inner oil seal and reinstall axle into housing.

Reassemble shims, backing plate and outer oil seal and housing.

Check axle end play and adjust as necessary.

Assemble brakes and drum and torque axle nut.

I hope this helps. It is a relative simple service, but involves a lot of disassembly. You will be happier knowing those bearings and seals are doing their job. It will probably last longer than you will have the car. Good luck.


Comment: The above is from memory and I may have missed a step or two. If so, I invite others to make corrections.

Correction #1: The bearing race will come out with the axle and bearing and will not be in the housing as described above.