Topic: How the hell do you..........?

[BLUCRUZ]

Get the freaking axle bearing retainer off so you can change the bearing? I thought it should come off with a little effort but it won't budge. It's an 88 rear, Any suggestions. I have a press but I can't figure how to press it off with the brake backing plate still attached. I put it in once and bent the sh$t out of the backing plate

[Willy Mammoth]

Unless it screws on and you would know that cause there would be spanner grooves it just presses off. You have to get behind the backing plate and support it while you press on it. You could also cut into the retainer with a cut off wheel till it loosens up.

[synwars]

Ha ha. On a rear axle shaft? Just grab the backing plate and pound the crap out of it on the ground, stub side down of course. Keep it straight, you won't wreck nothing but the concrete ground. I used the sidewalk...

[ToyotaTom]

Did you remove the snap ring first?  I just changed my rear bearings and bent the backing plate to with my press.  You have to get as close as possible to the axle to avoid this.  I wasn't too concerned with it since I converted to rear disc brakes at the same time.  The first ones I did about 8 years ago I just took into a machine shop and paid them to do it.  I think it cost me about $80 at the time.

[Duffil]

I normally either grind em down and hit em with a cold chisel, or torch em!  the new bearings shoulda come with new retainers, so it not usually a problem.

[BLUCRUZ [OP]]

Ok, I got the retainer off with the cut off wheel and chisel, Quite easy by the way. When I took it all apart I didn't find the o-ring that goes between the backing plate and the bearing cone. Is this a problem? is it neccessary? 

[Willy Mammoth]

Hmm, I wounder about that myself? This is the O ring that is on the bearing holder and seals against the axle housing? I would think that if the gear oil made it past the inner axle seal it would leak between the bearing holder and the axle housing.

[Prismo]

I would put the o-ring seal back in there. It helps keep out water too. You can pound a new retainer on the axle with a long piece of pipe a little larger in diameter than the axle shaft. Heating the retainer before hand makes it easier to pound on.