I have a 1972 8.5" Olds rear end(I think). I added these bearings to the axle and they are not going in to the axle housing. thanks

 

Tom, can you share a photo of your rear end? To make sure its the factory one that would have been the 8.5" corporate rear.

 

 

Does it have a large letter A cast into the top front of the pumpkin?

 

The inspection cover is not shaped the way I would have expected. I'm not an expert, but over the years all the corporate covers I've seen had the notches at the 3:00 and 9:00 positions.

 

 

Well, to a rear axle guru it probably would but I don't recognize those castings. Here's some pictures of a rear end I pulled from a 1972 Cutlass. Note the shape of the inspection cover, casting number, stamp in the passengerside tube. If you can't find these things on yours try taking photos of the front of the pumpkin. The location of the raised ridges might help others key out the rear end. I could be leading you down the wrong path as I'm not an expert with these. But I do feel we need to confirm which rear end you have before knowing which wheel bearings it needs.

 

I also have a 1972 Cutlass. Probably the same axle as you since my car is a corporates rear 8.5". These are the castings (prior to painting)

Same as the picture you posted


This one is the part number. Other one is simply the casting from the CFD (Casting Foundation Division - which served all of GM)


The axle bearings look very much like the ones you have in your link

 

The big block "O" indicates it is a 1971-1972 Oldsmobile 8.5" 10 bolt rearend.
And yes, Timken Set9 is the correct axle bearing for that rear.

Can you describe in more detail what the issue is?

The axle splines have to align with the side gears (and posi clutches if your rear is posi) in order to go into the rear.
Then the seal makes a tight fit, so you have to exert a bit of force to get the axle shaft fully seated.

Make sure there is no crud in the end of the axle tubes.
Make sure the bearing and seal are installed in the correct order (use Allan's pictures above for reference).
Make sure the bearing and seal are pressed all the way onto the axle shaft.

 

OK, it looks like I was barking up the wrong tree! So the other guys verified you have the correct rear and axle bearings.

 

John, I suspect your pictures show a differential from a Skylark. That's just a guess since the axle you're pointing to is a Buick one. Could be someone did a swap into a Cutlass as they would be straight across swap, and IIRC code SR is a 3.23:1 axle; a desirable gear for moderate performance instead of stock axle 2.73 or 2.56. Just spitballing on that.

My Olds Axle is coded SA O 101 (2.73, Olds, produced ordinal date 101 which is spot on for my car being built the same day) But it's now changed out to a code TM (3.42:1 Posi). That required a new carrier I got from Jim Mitchski (JD Race aka Monzaz this site. He even set up the carrier bearings before shipping)
Here's a picture of the top of my differential, clearly no A cast onto it. If you can check your parts book for that axle housing in your picture??

 

 

All of ^^^^ and for gosh sakes, don't forget to install the rear seals (seen in this picture.

 

I appreciate all the replies. So it appears I have the correct bearings and looks to be installed correctly so then can someone tell me how they get installed? Seems pretty straight forward but mine are not going in. Even with a slide hammer The axles are in the "housing" as I can see the differential spinning.

 

Can I assume that rear end is not currently in the original car it came from? Note that Vista Cruisers used the same center section as did all other Cutlii in the 1971-72 model years, but the Cutlii axles used the SET 9 wheel bearings and the VC axles used the larger SET 10 bearings. Is it possible this is a Vista Cruiser axle?

 

That should work. Just try gently rotating till the splines catch in the carrier, then push it in firmly.

 

Picture please showing how much of the axle is extended from the axle tube.

 

I'm starting to think I got the wrong bearings sent. It measures 65mm and now I see it's not even starting to go in. I will try and find the box to verify.

Allan R - where an I get the gasket you referred to?

Joe - the rear has not been changed since I've had it(30+ years) but could have been done before me. Will try to find ID marks to verify.

Thanks everyone.

 

I have a spreadsheet with measurements for the various rearends in my inventory. According to my data below, your bearings are the correct diameter. (2.5591" = 65.00114 mm).

Axle Bearing = Set 9
bearing diameter OD = 2.5591"


Measure the diameter of the end of the axle tube opening to see if it matches your bearings.

 

 

Just FYI since there are nice pictures above, the 8.5" 10 bolt rear can be easily identified. Look for the two parallel ribs on the side of the center section and the drilled/tapped boss on the top of the center section for the brake hose junction block.
Some 8.2" 10 bolt rears have the ribs, but none have the boss.

Don't bother with the cover since there are different versions, and the cover can easily be swapped.

 

They are available from Inline Tube (Page 44 of their on line Oldsmobile Catalogue) for $5.00 per set. They are called Backing plate to Axle Seals.