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.