Rear oil seals

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Hello All,

I am in the process of replacing the rear axle oil seals, the one behind the bearing. I have taken the half-shaft out and removed the hub nut. However, I am unsure how to proceed in order to get the rear bearings out. Do I need to use a hub puller? My hub puller is the kind with a central bolt so I can't use it on the rear hubs.

Have fun,

Mikey.

[bmcecosse]

Usually - if you can't just pull the hub off by hand - bolt the wheel back on and wiggle it off that way. In extremis - tyre lever on the brake cylinder may help to get it moving. Some have put a flat plate over the axle tube end - and used the puller against that - there is a slight risk of 'mullering' the thread on the tube end - so consider that the last resort!

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Thanks, Roy, knew you would have a couple of tricks.

Just to make sure, when the bearing retaining nut and locking washer is off, there is nothing left holding the hub on?

The wheel trick and the screwdriver trick didn't work - looks like its stuck fast. Going to have to try the old metal plate and hub puller ploy.

[bmcecosse]

Try harder with the wheel - get laid into it! Wiggle and pull like mad!

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I very carefully used a metal plate and the hub puller. For the first bit I had the nut on to protect the thread. Then I took the nut off and continued tightening the hub puller until the hub was flush with the tread - still I couldn't pull it off. Finally I had to use a socket that fitted just inside the thread to pull the hub all the way off!

The hub is off, the bearings are out and I have two questions:

1) How the hell do you get the rubber oil seal out?
2) Am I right in assuming that the rear bearing is a race bearing rather than a thrust bearing? What I really want to know is does it matter which way round it goes back in?

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Forget about the first question. Has anybody got any tips on how to get the new oil seal in?

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Hello All,

Does it matter which way round the rear bearings are fitted into the hub?

Also, can anybody remember, does the rear bearing fit flush with the outside of the hub or should it be recessed? I have the bearing in flush, but can't remember whether I should still be hitting it to get it in further.

Have fun,

Mikey.

[les]

There should be a shoulder in the hub that will stop the bearing, tap it until they make contact.
I think the bearings are non thrust, but it's nice to have the writing facing you for future reference!

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Thanks for that Les, I was on the right track, but I wanted to be sure.

When I started this I had a devil of a job removing the hub from the axle casing. Now when I try to get the hub back onto the axle casing, I discover that the last centimetre or so is very difficult. So much so that if I'm not careful, the bearing gets pushed out of the hub.

The service manual says "Refit the hub assembly to the axle casing and drift it into position with Service tool 18G 134 and adaptor 18G 134 Q." Are such tools necessary or is it just a matter of hitting the hub and outer race of the bearing hard enough?

The service manual also says that the bearing should protrude from the hub assembly by about 0.004in. Is this necessary or can I just hit the bearing all the way up to the shoulder inside the hub?

I would really appreciate it if somebody with more experience than me could give me their thoughts on these matters.

[bmcecosse]

You must NOT hit the outer race of the bearing while 'driving' it onto the shaft! You must only apply force to the inner race - the part that is sitting on the axle shaft. To hit the outer race will destroy the bearing!! But I suggest if it's that tight - you should clean the shaft very carefully and perhaps gently rub around with fine emery to remove any ridges or marks that may be holding back the bearing. I have always been able to more or less slide the rear hubs off and on the axle shaft.

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Thanks for the warning Roy. I hope I haven't knackered the new bearing already

Maybe, I'll refit a brand new bearing before I put it all back together. That will allow me to examine the almost new bearing in good light at my leisure.

[les]

The bearing protruding.004'' should automatically be maintained when the bearing is fully home, it is so the bearing face is gripped by the half shaft flange. Don't forget the paper gasket!

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Thanks for everybody's help and advice. The job is now done.

[bmcecosse]

Looking at your picture - the rear oil seal is wrong way round - it's intended to try to keep dirt OUT - and so should be fitted round the other way......

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I have only posted pictures of the front hub on my other active thread. The oil seal on the rear hub was indeed the other way round (and a to get in place).