Hi all,
This may have already been addressed but I can’t find it. This is for a 1969 442.

I’ve ordered new outer bearings (red) (part# RW507CR) and inner seals (white) (part# 8594S)
Does everyone generally clean and reuse the middle piece? It appears to just be a spacer of some sort (blue)

I may buy a press and remove and install these myself. Anything to look out for? Will the outer bearing bottom out when installing or do I need to take measurements?

 

That “middle piece” is the bearing retainer. A new one is supposed to come in the box with the new bearing.

The bearing is pressed on until it stops against the axle flange, then the bearing retainer is pressed until it is tight against the bearing.

The oil seal is installed into the end of the axle tube first, then the axle shaft is inserted through it. The shaft goes in until the bearing is fully into the end of the axle tube, and when the the axle retaining flange is bolted on it will ensure the bearing is seated fully.

 

Do you use a seal driver to tap it into the axle tube? Just enough to get it seated flush with the outside of the axle?

 

A seal driver would likely work, but I do not have one. I just made sure the seal went in straight.

 

Thank you! How far do you push the seal into the axle tube?

 

Until it bottoms on the recessed seal area, then it won’t go in any further, or until it is flush with the bearing seating shelf.

 

The seal seats into the tube flange end at least 1.5 to 2" deep. It has to have room for the retaining ring (middle ring) and the bearing (red arrow ) to fit with out the seal hitting the retaining ring.
As Ken (kenneth) stated there is a machined ledge in the housing tube end the seal will bottom out on. I think we use a 1 1/2" socket to seat the washers here.... But it is a 3/4" drive from like diesel socket set.
Anything you can find to drive it in square will work. The way it is on the axle in your picture is the CORRECT orientation for the seal.
Good luck. Jim