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Stub Axle Bearing to Replace or Not [message #364155]

Fri, 21 May 2021 14:36

Tom Katzenberger

Messages: 399
Registered: June 2019
Location: Kingsville, MD

Karma: 4

Senior Member

Guys and Gals,

I have a 1977 23' Birchaven, 8,000 miles original, I have the whole front suspension off and powder coated. Should I replace the stub axle bearing? With low miles, but many years, I am in the air. What are your thoughts?

Thanks again for any advice or suggestions.

Take care and have a great weekend,
Tom K.

Tom & Oki Katzenberger, Kingsville, Maryland, 1977 23' Birchaven, 455 C.I.D., Micro Level, Howell EBL-EFI Spark Control, Macerator, York Air Compressor, 6 Wheel Disc, Quadra Bag, Onan W/Bovee Ignition

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Re: Stub Axle Bearing to Replace or Not [message #364158 is a reply to message #364155]

Fri, 21 May 2021 15:57

Matt Colie

Messages: 8547
Registered: March 2007
Location: S.E. Michigan

Karma: 7

Senior Member

Tom,

Warning: A set of bearings that old were "selective assemblies". (They may be numbered.) Keep any set of bearings together and do not mix them.

Someone has a jig to drill the hub for a grease fitting. Put in the grease fitting and put slots or drill the center spacer to allow grease to flow into the bearings and then you will never have to disassemble them again.

If you do this, those bearings may well outlast you.

Matt

Matt & Mary Colie - Chaumière -'73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan with OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Near DTW - Twixt A2 and Detroit

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Re: Stub Axle Bearing to Replace or Not [message #364159 is a reply to message #364155]

Fri, 21 May 2021 17:50

Larry

Messages: 2875
Registered: January 2004
Location: Menomonie, WI

Karma: 10

Senior Member

Tom Katzenberger wrote on Fri, 21 May 2021 14:36

Guys and Gals,

I have a 1977 23' Birchaven, 8,000 miles original, I have the whole front suspension off and powder coated. Should I replace the stub axle bearing? With low miles, but many years, I am in the air. What are your thoughts?

Thanks again for any advice or suggestions.

Take care and have a great weekend,
Tom K.

Are you talking about the stub axle bearing on the axle bracket or the front wheel bearings in the knuckle?

Larry

78 Royale w/500 Caddy
Menomonie, WI.

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Re: Stub Axle Bearing to Replace or Not [message #364161 is a reply to message #364155]

Fri, 21 May 2021 18:36

Tom Katzenberger

Messages: 399
Registered: June 2019
Location: Kingsville, MD

Karma: 4

Senior Member

Matt,

Thank you, is there an instruction sheet or web site that shows this technique? I did install a 3.55 final drive. Do I need to measure/shim the bracket or is it unlikely to remove from tolerance when changing final drives.

Larry,

This is the bearing in the bracket attached to the stub axle. With only 8,000 miles, it may be worth disassemble and installing the grease zerk and reassembly.

Thank you both for your help.

Tom K.

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Re: Stub Axle Bearing to Replace or Not [message #364162 is a reply to message #364161]

Fri, 21 May 2021 22:55

C Boyd

Messages: 2629
Registered: April 2006

Karma: 18

Senior Member

Sir, a bearing with 8,000 miles should not be hurt, however if it is 50 years old there is the possibility it has pits and rust spots from lubrication sag. The only way to answer your question is to remove, clean and inspect. If you are comfortable lubing and putting it back in it is your call. My rule of thumb is “ if it is on my mind, replace it”..

C. Boyd
76 Crestmont
East Tennessee

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[GMCnet] Re: Stub Axle Bearing to Replace or Not [message #364163 is a reply to message #364162]

Fri, 21 May 2021 23:15

Ken Henderson

Messages: 8726
Registered: March 2004
Location: Americus, GA

Karma: 9

Senior Member

On the other hand, where that bearing is located, it has probably never
been exposed to water and if there's any engine oil leakage at all, it may
have run down there and provided even more protection. Myself, if the area
around it is still shiny black paint, I wouldn't fool with it -- during 23
years with GMC's, most of it monitoring this list, I've heard of VERY few
failures of that specific bearing -- maybe only one.

Ken H.

On Fri, May 21, 2021 at 11:55 PM Charles Boyd
wrote:

> Sir, a bearing with 8,000 miles should not be hurt, however if it is 50
> years old there is the possibility it has pits and rust spots from
> lubrication sag. The only way to answer your question is to remove, clean
> and inspect. If you are comfortable lubing and putting it back in it is
> your call. My rule of thumb is “ if it is on my mind, replace it”..
> --
> C. Boyd
> 76 Crestmont
> East Tennessee
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
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Ken Henderson
Americus, GA
www.gmcwipersetc.com
Large Wiring Diagrams
76 X-Birchaven
76 X-Palm Beach

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