Guys, yesterday I went to put a new carrier bearing on my 7.5" front diff. When I lifted the diff off the press, the bottom bearing came apart. I was able to find all the rollers and the outer cage. I put the rollers back into the cage and pushed a different hub into it (one from the original bearing I was replacing, which DID have a damaged cage), since I thought the inboard side of the smaller diameter lip looked a little rounded off, maybe making it easier for the bearings to slip up and over it.
Everything seems to fit as it should now. I have tried and tried to push it back apart with my fingers, and can't do it. You all think it would be safe to use again? Seems to me the race, spacer, and bearing caps would all hold it together anyway, but if you all say "No way man, here is what will happen..." I'll just spring for a new one, though that doesn't really excite me. $55+ for a single bearing...ouch.
I have no idea what made it come apart in the first place. Nothing seems obviously out of whack, other than maybe that inner lip being rounded over a bit.
