Have a noise in the GS. Stopped at a garage today and the service manager was eager to go for a ride with me. He hung himself out the passenger side window to listen and could hear it in the passenger rear wheel. He let me drive it into the alignment lift and we put the car in the air. He lifts the rear off and wiggles the rear tire dude to side. There's a little play but I'm no expert to know if there is supposed to be or not. He takes off the rear wheel and the drum. I can see the wheel cylinder us leaking but he says there's gear oil there too. He priced out beatings and desks and labor for $400. Good or bad price? I asked how much for diagnosis and he says "nothing". I have him $20 and he was very appreciative. It's a 71 up 10 bolt rear end. 3.42 posi. I've done this before on another buick, but had a machine shop (that has since closed) press on the new bearings/seals. I don't think it cost more than $100.
If it is a drive-in, drive-out situation and they provide all parts, labor and warrant it, that's not too high for me. Now, if you pull the axles, take them to a NAPA, buy the bearings and seals from them and let them press them on, I'd guess you'd be looking at about $150 -$200 tops.
Please inspect and send pictures if you are doing it yourself. Lets check these bearings out. So you said you had the bearings already done once before? I guess first thing is to be sure they did put NEW bearings in. Yes? Jim Send the pics and will all look see.
Thanks for replying Jim! I did it myself on a previous GS, I've not hand this cars rear apart Was supposed to be rebuilt when it was put in the car. You want pix of the diff and bearings? I'll see what I can do!
This is a recurring problem with the 8.5 10 bolt. The wrong end seals will create a situation where there is too much axle end play. There are thin and thick seals out there. Many of us have run into this problem before, and there are several threads on it. I've posted about this before. The correct seal will be .490 thick. http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?220547-End-play&highlight=712146+axle+seals
Yes and it will always be the owners problem as stores can NEVER know your exact seal thickness. GM was all over the place with the seals 2146 and 712146 where and or what plants years etc ...Have not found a common ground on the use yet. Seam PONTIAC rears used the 2146 more than the Olds and Buick rears with the A9 oiled bearing system. Jim
Jim... What exactly do I need to get pictures of? Diff cover? Drum on/off? Shoes on/off? Is there something I can measure?
Oh I think we just wanted to see the failed bearing... As far as the measurements you need to measure the thickness of the seal preferably the one that does not leak. .465 or .490 they will very some If you measure the axle bearing and seal pocket with the backing plate in place (which is also included in the bearing and seal pocket depth ) that will give the correct measurement also for getting the correct seal. IN the case where you do not know which seal is correct. ALWAYS install the retaining plate then the seal you think is corrected followed by the bearing. STOP! fit the axle with out installing the retaining collar ring. IF the axle fits...install the retaining collar ring for final assembly. IF you have excess end play you will need to remove the seal and bearing and get the thicker seal OR find out why you have too much end play- Reasons for too much end play. - Bearing could have excessive play -seal is wrong thickness - bearing land is compromised (meaning it has been smashed in from years of hard turns and abuse spun race etc.) I do not see too many other reason for the end play than this. Hope this has help others with axle bearing issues. Maybe a sticky would be good for this.
Thanks Jim! I should be able to do this. I have a show in my neighborhood this weekend so I wont take it apart till after that. I called Napa this morning, and they will press on bearings. I will report back!
I got some pictures without pulling the axles will upload soon to see if there's anything you can see I was able to measure the play on the in and out movement of the axle. 0.025 There is some play In the side to side with the tire on but I'm unable to measure that ---------- Post added at 02:33 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:11 PM ---------- Here's the pictures ---------- Post added at 02:36 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:33 PM ---------- And a Video <iframe width="853" height="480" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/DHLfOyz_Urk" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> ---------- Post added at 03:30 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:36 PM ---------- From reading other posts, Im looking at ... Thicker seal Timken 712146 http://www.amazon.com/Timken-712146...=1365712085&sr=8-1&keywords=712146+seal+wheel $8.76 - Amazon states this does NOT fit a 72 Buick - Rockauto says the same - looks like 73+ - Remember this rear an 8.5, not the 70 8.2 National A-9 Rear Wheel Bearing http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0080E5ZZ8/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER $10.08 - Amazon says this DOES fit a 72 Buick
Curtis, You are better off getting the seal from a parts store where you can measure it. .490 is the thicker seal. .465 is the thinner one. Measure the one in there now.
Thanks Larry I called NAPA The measurements they list on the seal 712146 are ID 1.688 OD 2.55 Thickness 0.47 Seems like the small one. Same with Advance - Width: 0.47
I know what they list. Go there and measure it. There are thick ones and thinner ones. This shouldn't be the problem it is but apparently it is.
in and out end play5-10 thousands is ok twisting diagonal like you were doing is NOT ok. Might be the bearing that took a crap too. You have to remove and physically look at it. Jim
Pictures!! G = good quiet side. B = bad noisy side They're are alot looser than I would have thought but I cannot remember what new ones were like on the last car I did. Should have new parts Mon or Tues so I can compare The good side had no leak, the bad side was weeping. Video <iframe width="853" height="480" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/9Ccj0u29V6E" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> Cleaned up the brakes too with new wheel cylinders. Bought a spring kit, but it must not be right, some parts were different. I kept mostly the older springs which were not that old, still had paint on them. Before After
I should have the parts today I bought them on Amazon using the part numbers specified here. Hope they measure out correctly. They were so cheap on amazon ($8) it was not worth my gas to drive around to find them in stock.
The A-9 bearings showed up this morning. The look just like what's on the axle The seals came this afternoon. The measure at 0.490. The old seals measure at 0.463. Looks like it should solve my issue. Ill blast the axles in the morning and paint cast iron on them. The drop them off for pressing.
So the garage that said they'd press on the bearings for $50 changed to $100 per side when I brought them there... Bummer. I brought them home again. A friend has a press at his disposal so he'll do it fit me. He's just way across town. But saving the $200 makes it worth it. They are blasted and painted... Ready to go.
