Info on rear wheel bearings

[Sonic65]

I have used repair bearings and repair seals when needed and have had no issue with them leaking. As long as the new location is smooth, you should not have an issue. I try to use Moog, Napa or Timkin parts. I stay away from auto part store house brands when I can. I had a leaking front main seal on 350 Chivvy engine that I used a repair seal on and after 15 years it doe not leak.

[LEWISMATKIN]

If the axle shaft is pitted in an area where the Timken inner seal wouldn't hold up, then by all means use the SKF bearing. If it isn't, I would use the Timken bearing. You can fill the cavity with wheel bearing grease, and the inner seal will keep the gear oil away from the grease. If you choose the open sided SKF bearing, I then recommend that you overfill the axle with lubricant. This is my reasoning: oil has to migrate down the axle tubes to lubricate the axle bearings. If you only fill the axle to the bottom of the fill hole, the only time oil gets to the bearings in any quanity is when either one side is on a side incline (L or R) or in foam/splash form. When the axle is overfilled (i tell people to cover the bottom half of the fill hole. Fill until lubricant runs out over your thumb, then install the plug). Oil will migrate down the tube, and get to the wheel bearings, eliminating the dry start which can happen. I hope I have been of some assistance.

[stevecamper]

This has been great advice! Thanks everyone!

[ilvracn]

I believe your axle is out of a chevy truck. it has the large axle ends, and the track bar locator for the trailing arm suspension. make sure to measure the length of the axle before ordering, the length of the axle and tube changed in 1967. the complete rear ends are interchangable, but the axle length is different.

Rick

[Ed Snyder]

Originally Posted by stevecamper

The VIN is 6C91534818957A which tells me is was a C1000 and an 8 cylinder.

The Canadian GMCs of that era were essentially Chevy trucks underneath with GMC bodies on top. See http://www.oeltd.net/doc/6066gmc/VINs/gmc-canada.htm for some Canadian VIN info. As far as I know, the Canadian versions did not come with DANA rear ends. So your rear end could be the factory original rear end.

You might be able to find additional assistance at http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/forumdisplay.php?f=6.

[BobBray]

Ed Snyder is right, Canadian GMC pickups during the 50's and 60's were Chevy's built in Oshawa with GMC grilles and emblems. Chevy engines, Muncie transmissions, Corporate or Eaton rear axles. What he has there looks like an old Chevy 12 bolt. Lewis Matkin has a good idea, I think there is a repair type bearing available for that axle. But, a good axle shaft should not be to tough to find, even in Canada!

[stevecamper]

Hi Folks! Thanks for the info. I elected to go with the repair bearing for now. I installed it and it seems good. My buddy turned the axle hub face down and cleaned up the bearing surface as best he could. He also found the axle slightly bent which we corrected. I have attached a pre and post pic of the first wheel overhaul with the repair bearing installed which turned out pretty good. Should be able to get it past inspection when it looks like this!