Hi, ok so I'm looking for the bearing keepers that are on the inside of the bearings that go over the axels and keep the bearings from sliding back down the axel toward the pumpkin. I'm having a hard time finding them, everyone that I call and ask thinks that I'm talking about the chevy 8.5 with the c clips. Does anyone know who makes these bearing keepers? And were I can get them? It seems like all the kits that I have looked at online don't include the keepers. Oh by the way this rear end is out of a 72 skylark, and its going into a 68 skylark. Thanks
The "keepers" are a press fit ring that is re-usable. They should not go bad because they live in oil. Unless you have the proper fixture and a press, you will have to have a shop do the work. Try to find someone familiar with the procedure so that the ring gets pressed on with the correct amount of load. If you need to see a picture of the assembly, I can email you a picture tomorrow. Send me a email with axle bearing in the title line and I can get that to you tomorrow evening. It's way to cold outside to do that now. matt418@verizon.net Matt
Dang I already cut them off, so they are ruined. I was told that this is the only way to get them off to replace the bearings. I work at a machine shop so I have access to a press, I just need to find someone that sells the rings.
Well, that sucks. You may want to put a WANTED ad on this board. There is a guy on this board that rebuilds rears Monzaz that probably could help you. Do a search and his name will pop up in a bunch of posts. or PM him directly. This board will be down for several days for service so you may want to see if you can send him tonight.
every axle bearing I've ever bought has come with s new set. I've never reused the old ones. I've always torched them off.
search Timkin SET9. you can buy new bearings that come with these spacers. They are tight press fit. I had to heat them while in the press to get mine off. I replaced them.
As everyone has suggested, I know of no way to get them off without destroying them but I would like to hear about it if there is. In my case I always drill a 1/4" hole in them about 3/4 of the way through and then split them with a hammer and chisel.
Yes, you are right. Rockauto has the Timken Set9 and shows a picture of the ring included with the bearing. Rock auto has a decent price on these, too. I thought the shop reused the ring, but, apparently my memory has slipped. Thanks for the info.
I never reuse those.There is no need to because the new bearings come with them included. The 72 8.5" uses a Timken SET9. Other companies call it an A9,but either way,they come with the lock collar/retainer. The seal is 712146. Do NOT use the thinner 2146 seal.
you MUST becareful to watch for mis package parts in boxes too. Reason why I only use the timkin seals 712146 is they are the correct thickness and I have never had a mispackage seal yet. I have with the other companies national SKF etc. seen the same 2146 seal .465 thick seal in a 712146 box many times which should be in the .490 range thickness...NOT having this thicker seal will DOOM the TAPERED BEARING set9 or A9 bearing. Good luck and measure your parts before installing. Jim J D
The retaining rings usually need to be cut to weaken the press FIT AND OR making them able to be CHisELed OFF ...lots of time they will pop when you get just deep enough... trying to remove the bearing and retaining ring in a press will result in an explosion of the bearing and or bent parts you do not WANT BENT..... JIM J D
Is there a tutorial on how to press these back onto a shaft? Maybe a YouTube?link? I have an 8.5 out of a 72skylark id like to put new bearings and seals in before a swap I into the car. I know, pay someone. Nope, if I can get a 2004r together with my limited brain power I think I can do this. I have a harbor freight 12T press. I looked up the timken numbers on the ra.com is there other things needed besides two bearings and two seals? Also thinking about swapping the gear set. I think I will need some shims and some of that gear marking stuff. Thanks for the input. I hope op doesn't mind the extra questions.
Rich, just make sure you get the right seals. They still have misboxed ones out there. Measure them, they should be .490" thick.
The descriptions in rockauto noted the thickness. I guess it should be noted to measure with a caliper when I receive them. Not a gears question but a rear end one. Can the big drums off a wagon be used on one of these 8.5 bolt in axle rears. I pulled a set off a early eighties wagon and might try em if they are thought to fit. I thing they are 11" but ill have to measure.
The optional 11" drums from the mid-70's A-body rears will fit. What you have sounds like the same thing. Check the bolt pattern on the backing plates,and check the bolt pattern on the drum. Some of those big cars had a 5-on-5 pattern.
I can get the drums redrilled if needed. Cool trick my bil showed me with a Bridgeport mill and nifty vice that holds the piece and has different pieces to drill holes in a circle. I will check the backing plates.
1973-1977 A-body cars like cutlass el camino etc... had a 11" drum brake optional rear with the GM small trapezoidal (chevelle ,camaro, skylark flange end) 5 on 4 3/4" wheel bolt pattern. Once you get this big a drum on the rear you might as well do the disc brake conversion insead. Old scholl 11" drums are just not as popular as they once were. So many companies make the disc brake kits so complete and easy all in one package it is easy and cheap. 395.00 gets you good disc brakes 11" rotor. I might have a few display kits sitting here.
The Right Stuff Detailing has a good rear disc kit,and a few other companies have the same thing. It consists of a late-70's Cadillac caliper,a late-70's Firebird rotor,and a caliper bracket to make it all work.They also have e-brakes. Pretty simple kit,and allows you to get any needed replacement parts at the local parts store. You can get the kits with plain rotors,like OEM,or you can get drilled/slotted rotors as an upgrade. Here is a rear that I recently did with one of their kits.
