How To Change Rear Hubs On A 2004 Blazer

Do you see gear oil leaking from the rear cycle? Is your vehicle making a roaring sound that follows the vehicle speed from the rear?  Exercise yous wonder how difficult it is to change the front or rear axle seal and begetting or bearing hub? Y'all have come to the right place. We are a team of ASE certified online mechanics that have created this guide for you to salvage yous coin while having the satisfaction of doing the job right. If yous are not going to practise the repair yourself this guide and video will bear witness y'all what you are paying for when you take your vehicle into a repair shop.

Why Does an Axle Begetting Fail?

A bearing is fabricated of high grade steel which has a super hard coating over the rollers, inner and outer races. A bearing goes bad when this coating is worn away due to mileage or farthermost load which merely leaves the normal steel which then degrades and destroys the bearing components. Likewise, failures tin occur when moisture combined with salt from roads penetrate the seal and contaminate the bearing, or over fourth dimension the grease used to lubricate the begetting can liquefy leaving it dry causing a failure.

This is what a failed axle bearing looks similar. You can see the roller cage is broken and there are pits on parts of the rollers themselves.

SPONSORED LINKS

Before We Begin

Before you begin, park your machine on level ground with the transmission in park. You will need to raise up your motorcar with a floor jack and secure it using jack stands for safety and then remove and reinstall the wheel. Call back safety get-go, never get under the vehicle unless jack stands are in place. We want you to use rubber equally a normal practise anytime repairs demand to be done as you learn automotive repair.

The brake caliper volition demand to be removed along with the caliper mount and the brake pads.

• Front brake pads, rotor and caliper removal
• Rear brake pads, rotor and caliper removal

If you are not replacing the brake pads then you lot don't need to open the bleeder or push the piston back into the caliper for this chore.

SPONSORED LINKS

Identify the side of the differential you see the leak or hear the noise on before performing the repair. In this repair yous will be dealing with gear oil then have a fluid take hold of basin ready. Also, if the gear oil has been leaking for a while you will demand to supercede the emergency restriction shoes.

Larn more: How to supervene upon parking brake shoes

Step 1

Remove the Rear Backing Plate

One time the vehicle is safely in the air and on jack stands its time to get under the rear of it and remove the rear differential cover. Begin by loosening the bottom three bolts, this volition hold the encompass in place while removing the remainder of the bolts. Have a fluid grab basin ready to collect the gear oil which should offset to menstruation out from the embrace. Remove the residuum of the embrace bolts and store them in a plastic container so they don't become lost.

SPONSORED LINKS

If gear oil doesn't start to leak you lot should assistance break the seal loose past using a flat bract (standard) screwdriver and allow the gear oil to bleed out. Once well-nigh of the gear oil has drained into the catch basin, remove the remaining 3 bolts to remove the embrace. Use a large screw commuter to continue releasing the seal.

Continue to remove the cover and place information technology off to the side. This encompass will need to be cleaned which will exist done in after steps. Once the embrace is removed it will expose the inner workings of the differential.

Step 2

Locate and Remove Pivot Pin Bolt

SPONSORED LINKS

Subsequently inspecting the inner workings and while the manual is in natural, rotate the driveshaft until the carrier pivot shaft bolt is exposed. This can accept a few turns of the driveshaft before seeing it. Stop turning when the commodities is well-nigh the top of housing. Also, keep your fingers articulate while rotating the gear set up to avoid injury, these gears tin can be sharp.

Once the carrier bolt has been located, use a minor ratchet or wrench (8mm) to loosen and remove the commodities. This commodities can exist snug then make sure your tool is squarely on the head of the bolt to avert rounding which will make the job much more than difficult. If the bolt breaks inside the carrier use an air hammer which can be used to strength outward (intermission downwards) the pivot rod through the carrier. The pivot pivot will need to be replaced forth with the bolt.

Footstep 3

Remove the Pinion Pin

Once the pivot bolt has been removed, reach your hand down around to the bottom of the carrier and apply your finger to popular the pin upwards while grabbing it with your other hand. You might demand to maneuver the driveshaft to proceeds plenty clearance to let the pinion pivot to slide completely out.

Step iv

Remove the C Clip and Beam

SPONSORED LINKS

After the pinion pivot has been removed, again rotate the driveshaft until the "C" prune access port appears. Watch the unit of measurement as you lot slowly turn it, if the spider gears (modest gears) kickoff to motion into the port then plow the axle with the driveshaft to keep the gears in their position.

Next, at the axle flange (bicycle side) push the beam inward toward the differential, the beam will move inwards slightly. This is to allow plenty clearance for the "C" clip to exist removed which holds the axle into the differential.

Using a small screwdriver or magnet work the metallic "C" clip in a circular motion, This will enable you to remove the clip which will release the beam from the differential. This can take a trivial time and then hang in at that place.

SPONSORED LINKS

Once the C clip has been removed from the carrier check the clip for habiliment and scoring and supplant if needed. This will be a dealer office.

At present that the C clip has been removed grasp the beam at the flange and pull outward, the axle should slide out completely from the differential housing, use a shop towel effectually the axle every bit it's existence removed to wipe residue gear oil to keep the mess down to a minimum.

In this picture the parking brake shoes have been removed for replacement just if the shoes are okay you can exit them installed while replacing the begetting and seal.

After the axle has been removed inspect the bearing and seal surface to check for wear and scoring and replace if damaged. If this axle is worn you lot will run into an obvious groove in this area. Practice not reuse the axle at this point because the new seal and bearing will fail prematurely. These axles are available at the dealer for almost $200.00 bucks.

SPONSORED LINKS

Scout the Video!

To become an thought on what you are in for with this repair please lookout man the video below.

Pace five

Remove the Beam Seal

Now we are ready to remove the seal. Utilize a large pry bar to leverage the seal out of the differential housing, you lot tin as well use a seal puller but we have found this method works pretty skilful.

Stride 6

Remove and Install Beam Bearing

Use an axle puller to remove the axle begetting, once installed push the shoe of the puller direct which will help it lock behind the bearing. Then, thrust the anvil outward to kickoff the pulling action, this will have several thrusts to remove the begetting.

SPONSORED LINKS

After the bearing has been removed, use a store towel to wipe the housing clean from oil and dirt. Also bank check the housing for obvious scoring which can make the new seal leak. If a grove or scoring is nowadays you will need to install the seal using silicone condom and let it to fully dry before refilling the differential, preferably overnight.

After the bearing has been successfully removed friction match the old bearing to the new unit of measurement they should exist an identical match.

This is a begetting installation tool. Match the size of the tool to be just slightly smaller in size than the bearing. If the tool is larger or the same size information technology tin can become stuck inside the housing which will create a problem. You lot can use a big punch and work effectually the bearing to install it, only using the tool is the preferred method.

SPONSORED LINKS

Set the new begetting squarely into the differential housing, then utilise the tool to install the bearing using a hammer. In one case the bearing is fully installed the hammer volition have a hard clunk sound and the begetting will non move inward. This is signaling the bearing is completely against the house shoulder.

Stride seven

Install the Axle Seal

Once the bearing has been installed the seal is next. Inspect the seal surface for grooves or scores.

SPONSORED LINKS

Use a shop towel to clean the seal mounting surface which will ensure the proper installation. Use carburetor cleaner to brand certain the surface is clean and dry out before you begin reinstalling the seal.

Adjacent, the new seal must be installed, match up the new seal to the old 1. These seals have a outer lip and so the seal can simply exist installed 1 style. The seals should look identical unless they have been updated past the manufacturer.

Once the surface has been cleaned, match the new seal to the old unit and apply sealer to the differential housing if needed. About seals take a sealer allied to them as a sparse blanket, this seal uses an orangish colored sealer.

Next, you lot can use the seal installer which is one and the same to the bearing installer but we idea we would show you how nosotros did it in the old days in this case. Fix and hold the seal in place, and then drive the seal into the differential housing using a flat bar to hammer against while installing the seal. Continue this operation until completely installed and flush against the housing and seal lip.

Footstep 8

Reinstall the Axle

After inspecting the beam for harm and you see that information technology's okay to reinstall, utilize a small amount of gear oil to the bearing and seal. This will help lubricate the surfaces and give you a better chance for the new seal not to leak. Then advisedly install the axle by holding it upwardly non allowing the weight of the axle to ride against the seal lip which will impairment it.

SPONSORED LINKS

While the axle is sliding inward you lot volition demand to push down on the bottom of the flange while pulling outward at the top. This will elevator the end of the axle upwards and into the carrier. Likewise, turn the beam slightly at the same time, this will allow the axle spline to engage into the carrier. So continue to button the axle inward until it stops.

Next, check to see if the axle has been fully engaged into the carrier enough to put the prune into place. Now, reinsert the C clip retainer onto the axle through the access port, yous can use a small pair of needle noise pliers if needed.

After the C clip installation is consummate, pull the axle outward to lock the C prune in place. Then insert the pinion shaft, you might need to rotate the beam to marshal the spider gears for the shaft to exist installed. Have note of the shaft bolt hole and then you can reinstall the bolt.

Example of bolt hole orientation before the final installation.

Afterwards the shaft has been installed, insert the servant bolt and tighten, this bolt needs to be fairly snug.

SPONSORED LINKS

Step ix

Reinstall the Rear Cover Plate

After the axle has been reinstalled use a gasket scraper to remove the sometime gasket and clean the differential surface. Brand sure this surface is clean from gear oil or it volition contaminate the sealer and possibly cause a leak. Use a store towel to wipe out the inner differential housing to help control additional oil.

Next, clean the metal debris from the differential comprehend magnet and continue to make clean the gasket surface with the scraper until gratis from gear oil. Use carburetor cleaner to ensure no oil is present.

Then, install the new gasket using silicone rubber equally a sealer. Create dewdrop inside of the bolt holes to help command leaks. Do non use inexpensive home class sealer, you demand to get the practiced stuff which costs a piffling more but is bachelor from Amazon, Habitation Depot or Lowes hardware stores.

Carefully install the differential cover every bit non to disturb the gasket location on the cover. Excessive movement will cause the sealant to be less effective.

Install the cover bolts and tighten in a star pattern. These bolts don't need exist super tight, only snug. You should also revisit these bolts in a few days to give them an actress snug. Nosotros accept received a lot of questions on how tight these bolts should be which is tough to say considering the gasket likes to flatten in time but if you tighten them to manufactures specifications y'all can spilt the gasket so its best to do information technology in stages. Likewise tight volition spilt the gasket while to loose will allow a leak, it'southward an art learned like anything else.

Stride 10

Refill with Gear Oil

Once the cover bolts are tight, remove the differential fill plug which is located about the driveshaft this volition exist a 3/eight bulldoze socket extension or ratchet caput. And then install the gear oil, if your vehicle has the clutch fashion (express slip) unit you will demand to cascade in an condiment which helps lubricate the clutches. Usually there will be a tag about the fill plug that indicates what kind of oil is required.

The fluid level is full when gear oil is dripping from the fill port. To double check the level gentle dip a finger inside the port. Never turn driveshaft or axles when checking gear oil to avoid injury from the pinion gear. Reinstall and tighten the fill up plug and you lot are all gear up. Double check your work by looking for leaks at the cover.

After reinstalling any brake parts and the cycle. Safely render the vehicle to ground level and take it for a examination drive while listening for aberrant noises. Also, recheck the differential for fluid leakage. Its a skillful idea to tip the vehicle to the side the repair was performed to bath the new bearing in gear oil.

Got Any Questions?

If you accept whatever questions about an beam begetting or seal, please visit our forum. If you demand auto repair advice, delight ask our community of mechanics who are happy to help. Our service is always 100% gratuitous.

3/4 and 1 Ton Application

This guide is created to show you how to supersede an beam seal and bearing on a 3/four and 1 ton rear beam. Most trucks and SUV'due south apply the aforementioned style of Dana rear finish and then this guide volition pertain to most repair jobs.

Step 1

Remove the Begetting Hub

Once the brake caliper, mounting bracket and pads have been removed the brake rotor is adjacent. Some rotors will have this annoying little retainer which is put on during manufacturing to hold the rotor on while the vehicle is moving around in the manufacturing plant during associates. This clip can exist removed and discarded, utilise a pair of side cutters (dikes) to get nether the clip and with the twisting motion catch the prune to remove.

Sometimes the rotor will be stuck on the bearing hub, use a hammer to "shock" information technology loose by striking it between the wheel studs existence careful not to hit the studs. Grasp the rotor and pull it from the hub.

This will expose the parking brake shoes which in this instance have been soaked with gear oil and will demand to be replaced. If an bear upon gun is not being used get out the restriction rotor on and set the parking brake to help hold the hub from turning while removing the axle bolts. Once the bolts have been broken loose remove the rotor. Continue until all bolts accept been removed.

Learn more than: How to replace parking brake shoes

The beam will at present exist loose, grasp the cease and pull outward. This will begin the beam removal, take a fluid take hold of bowl ready because gear oil will leak out.

Apply a shop towel to rap effectually the beam and continue to pull it out of the differential. Hold pressure level on the towel to wipe the backlog gear oil into the fluid catch basin.

Employ a small pick to motility the terminate of the beam nut retainer ring upward. This will permit you to remove the ring while working the servant ring from the axle tube threads. This ring is made of leap steel so try not to pull on it to hard or it will distort its grade and may need to be replaced.

This is what the servant band await like when it is fully removed. Wipe this part clean and set it in a plastic container so you lot practice not loose it, there will exist more than parts to follow.

This will betrayal the retainer key and axle nut. This nut sits on the differential housing loose with the only affair holding it in identify is the servant key. That'southward why the servant jump clip is so important to be installed correctly. The key is basically a small-scale square piece of high grade metal the sits in a grove in the axle tube threads in which the beam nut threads onto. Y'all can see the nut has spun a petty belongings the key from sliding out hands. Y'all can rotate this nut slightly so a pocket-sized magnet tin pull the key outward.

In one case the central is removed the nut can basically be removed by hand even though they make special socket for it.

They make a special socket to remove the axle nut but it is not needed even though information technology makes the removal of the nut easier. Like we said earlier this nut sits loose on the housing threads and can besides be removed using the modest punch in one of the indentations in the nut.

Insert the socket or modest punch and kickoff turning the beam nut counterclockwise. Y'all can push the top of the rotor inward which will help take the balance pressure off of the bearing nut and will brand it turn even easier. Go along to loosen the nut until fully removed.

Hither is what the beam nut looks like removed for the differential and bearing hub. You can see the symmetrical indentations which are used to remove the nut and the various keyway slots used for the adjustment of the bearing preload.

To remove the bearing hub employ a big screwdriver or pry bar to "pop" the bearing hub loose. It tin be a little stuck because of the oil seal which fastened to the hub and the beam tube. Apply pressure to the hub moving it outward while turning the hub slightly.

At present the bearing hub will slide off easily. Information technology is heavy though and so keep your easily on information technology so it doesn't autumn. A slight amount of gear oil might leak out so take a shop towel prepare.

Step 2

Replace the Axle Bearing and Race

This is what the inner beam bearing looks like when it is removed from the differential housing. This begetting hands slides off of the axle tube and will have gear oil on information technology.

Next, use a large screwdriver or pry bar to force the oil seal from the differential. This seal is wedged between the differential housing and the bearing hub while assuasive the hub to turn. This seal is a little different that traditional seals as both upper and lower parts of the seal are stationary wedged onto the begetting hub and beam tube. While the actual seal part is inside the seal assembly itself.

Use a shop towel and carburetor or brake cleaner to wipe clean the begetting hub. This is so when you reassemble the bearings yous will be able to avoid getting gear oil onto the parking restriction shoes or brake pads. Use care not to get cleaner on the inside of the hub.

Looking within the begetting hub you can see the bearing race lip sticking out from the actual hub casting. This is where you will set the big dial against to hammer the race from the hub.

Utilise a large punch which is show here with a nice foursquare edge at its tip. If the dial tip is rounded use a grinder to flatten the tip before offset to remove the race. This will assist remove the race more efficiently.

Begin by placing the dial tip against the race lip and brainstorm the removal process by striking the opposite end of the punch with a big hammer. Continue the removal process by working around the race evenly until completely removed. To remove the outer bearing you must remove the snap ring from inside the hub and hammer the bearing out with the race together using a bearing driver tool.

Spotter the Video!

This video will show you how to do the entire job including the parking brake shoes.

Step 3

Install the Race and Bearing

Remove the new replacement race from the box and hold information technology confronting the old race to check the outside diameter, they should be the same.

Adjacent, remove the new axle bearing from the box and match it to the old bearing, they as well should be identical.

Use a store towel to wipe clean the bearing mounting surface earlier installing the race. Get this as clean equally possible because you don't desire any lubricant between the race and the hub. This tin cause the race to lose its press fit in the hub and the hub will need to be replaced.

Set the new bearing race squarely into the bearing hub, you want this is apartment as possible.

Fix the old race onto the new race, this volition be used to start the new race installation. A bearing installer tin exist used for this also merely this works pretty well.

Employ a hammer and work around the race evenly to get-go the installation. Keep checking the former race and stop exist for information technology gets stuck in the bearing hub. You will end the installation using the large punch.

Now, use a large punch to drive the race completely into the bearing hub by circling around the race. You volition feel the hammer bounce back once the race is installed completely equally the air gap closes. A race driver can also be used for this operation.

This is what a bearing race commuter looks like. Choose the size that is just a little smaller than the race, but not too modest equally too contact the begetting surface of the race.

Before installing the bearing into the race bathroom it in gear oil. This will lubricate the begetting and help avert premature failure.

Set the bearing into the race cone side downwardly, then spin the bearing to spread the gear oil around the race.

Apply a store towel to wipe clean the bearing hub at the seal surface. Exercise not install the seal with gear oil present because information technology volition cause the seal to go loose in the hub and leak.

Step 4

Install the Seal

Match the oil seal to the new unit. This item seal has been redesigned for better operation. The new seal is ready to exist installed.

Gear up the seal apartment on the bearing hub while the begetting is in place positioned in the race. Use the seal driver or a flat slice of metallic works pretty well. Hammer the seal until affluent with the bearing hub.

Pace v

Install the Bearing Hub

Use a light coat of gear oil over the differential axle tube surface and then carefully install the bearing hub. Be mindful of the seal as too not permit it to hit the threads while being installed. This tin can damage to seal and crusade a leak. Jog the hub slightly to button the hub completely onto the differential. This will help the tight fit of the bearing to push onto the close clearance of the beam tube.

Adjacent, you volition need to use a plastic hammer and push the seal onto the axle tube which is a press fit. This will lock the seal in place between the the hub and the axle tube.

Install the axle tube nut past hand to avert cantankerous threading past turning it clockwise.

Step 6

Install Axle Nut and Set Bearing Pre-load

This part is important and must be done correctly or the bearings will fail. While spinning the bearing hub tighten the beam bearing nut by hand to remove the play. You will feel the nut the get tighter equally the play is removed, keep spinning the hub while removing all free play from the bearings.

Once you have tightened and removed all of the free play in the bearings, continue turning the hub as you loosen the axle nut about 1/8 of a turn. This looseness is too let the bearing room to "abound" as they aggrandize with heat. If there is no room, in others word if the bearings have no free play they will self destruct due to rut from expansion once the vehicle is loaded and in motion for any length of time.

Utilise a pick or small screwdriver to align the axle nut so the key will be able to exist installed. This will move the nut, you will demand to make a judgment call on the nut to get slightly tighter or preferably looser.

Clean the beam nut key with a store towel and so slide the cardinal into potion onto the axle tube and under the axle nut.

Clean the retainer ring using a shop towel. Outset the installation at the side of the ring without the bend. Push it completely flush against the beam nut while working it around onto the axle tube and into the tube threads. The bend is to hold onto the threads of the axle tube. This clip holds the key in place under the beam nut and prevents the nut from unwinding. The axle is ready to be reinstalled.

Step vii

Reinstall the Axle

Apply a shop towel with carburetor or brake cleaner on it and wipe the bearing hub axle flange mount clean. This must be every bit clean as possible to avoid leaks after the axle has been installed. Be carful not the get the cleaner into the differential bearing area.

Using a shop towel wipe the beam flange make clean using carburetor and brake cleaner. Once again this needs to exist as make clean as possible to avert leaks in one case reassembled.

Utilise axle sealer to the beam flange. Brand sure to go within the bolt holes while applying to avert leaks. Spread evenly with you finger until the entire gasket is covered.

Install the axle into the axle tube of the differential. Be sure the beam does not drip gear oil onto the bearing hub axle flange. You lot will need to rotate the beam so the splines will insert in to the gear carrier inside the differential. Stop by adjustment the bolt holes to the bearing hub.

Reinsert all of the axle bolts by paw to avoid cross threading.

Tighten the axle flange bolts in a cross pattern. Once the wheel is on the footing and after reassemble is complete, toque these bolts to factory specifications which is normally 65 to 75 pounds. Wipe whatever excess sealer from the bearing hub and axle. At present the brake rotor and the residual of the brake can be reassembled. If the truck has many miles on it it's a good idea to supplant the other side as well. After driving the vehicle for a short time bank check the hub to make sure information technology is not leaking.

Questions?

If you take whatever questions about a rear axle bearing, please visit our forum. If you need automobile repair advice, please ask our community of mechanics who are happy to help. Our service is always 100% free.

Article published 2022-03-13

Source: https://www.2carpros.com/articles/rear-axle-seal-replacement

Posted by: wellsimeting82.blogspot.com

Share this post