1955-64 Chevy Rear Axle Bearing Installation

The rear axle bearings that are used on a 1955 to 1964 are a “press- on” style ball bearing. The bearing supports the axle in the rear end housing and also serves as the seal and axle retainer. An O-ring around the outside of the bearing seals to the rear end housing, while a lip seal is located on the outside face of the bearing that keeps rear end lube inside the housing. When an axle bearing starts to leak (usually because the bearing cage is disintegrating) the rear end lube will ruin the rear brake shoes. If the bearing becomes loose, it will start to roar and possibly ruin the axle and/or rear end housing. In this article we will show the proper way to remove and install new rear axle bearings.

- Remove the rear wheels, brake drums and loosen the four nuts that secure the axle retaining plate to the rear end. Using an axle puller, remove the axles from the rear end housing. The axle bearing is pressed onto the axle and is held in place with a pressed-on retaining ring.
- To remove the axle bearing, the retaining ring must be removed first. The retaining ring is made out of fairly soft material. Place the axle in a vice. Using a sharp chisel and hammer, split the retaining ring.
- The axle bearing cover has four studs that hold the axle to the rear end housing. These must be removed to allow the bearing to be pressed off. Using a hammer, tap the studs out of the bearing cover.

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