New to working on my 85 FJ60 and I am still learning the basics. Thanks to all who post here (I could not have finished the replacement of the front bearings and seals without this forum). I just jacked her back up and on stands in the driveway to get started on replacing the rear bearings and seal. Thinking there would be a hub and spindle like there was on the front, I was ready to get started. I have discovered that there is no hub and have looked through the posts for a procedure for replacing the rear axle bearings and seals with no luck! Anyone that could supply some info to get me started would be greatly appreciated. Many thanks!
85 FJ60 rear axle bearing and seal replacement question
- Thread starter Wilsosr
- Start date
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Sounds like you need a factory service manual (FSM).
From memory, the procedure is more or less like this...
Jack up rear, place on jackstands.
Remove rear wheels.
Remove brake drums
Drain rear differential gear oil (check to make sure you can remove the fill plug first).
Remove rear diff inspection cover (round thing bolted to back of axle)
Push axles in towards center, and remove c-clips (located inside differential).
Remove axles.
Remove seal (easy)
Remove bearing (mine were in very tight, took a bajillion blows with the slide hammer to remove...maybe 2 bajillion.
You'll need bearing and seal of course, but also a rear cover gasket. Suggest replacing the drain and fill plugs with the newer 10mm allen ones. You'll need the crush seal for underneath the drain/fill plugs. Gear oil also needed.
Also, since the brakes will be apart, this is a great time to do a rear brake job, or to rebuild the bell-cranks.
Not sure if I've got it all, but this should at least get you pointed in the right direction.
From memory, the procedure is more or less like this...
Jack up rear, place on jackstands.
Remove rear wheels.
Remove brake drums
Drain rear differential gear oil (check to make sure you can remove the fill plug first).
Remove rear diff inspection cover (round thing bolted to back of axle)
Push axles in towards center, and remove c-clips (located inside differential).
Remove axles.
Remove seal (easy)
Remove bearing (mine were in very tight, took a bajillion blows with the slide hammer to remove...maybe 2 bajillion.
You'll need bearing and seal of course, but also a rear cover gasket. Suggest replacing the drain and fill plugs with the newer 10mm allen ones. You'll need the crush seal for underneath the drain/fill plugs. Gear oil also needed.
Also, since the brakes will be apart, this is a great time to do a rear brake job, or to rebuild the bell-cranks.
Not sure if I've got it all, but this should at least get you pointed in the right direction.
- Thread starter
- #3
Thanks Lovetoski, Did not know about the c-clips. Have a FSM on order but could not wait to get at those noisy bearings! Will replace the drain plugs and get a heavy duty slide hammer. Happy New Year!
Prior to removing the C clips, you must first remove the spider gear shaft and the pin that holds it in the carrier. Then you will have room to push in the axle shafts and remove the clips. The bearings ride directly on the axle shaft. If you have excessive noise, you may be looking for shafts as well. It is possible that your noise is from a pinion bearing or carrier bearing or just a very poor "pattern" or engagement of the ring and pinion. Keep your eyes open when you get in there. My bearings and shafts were the originals at 350k when I removed the whole assembly. They are still in use in a friends rig.
As Lehiguy mentioned, the noise could also be from the carrier or pinion bearings...both of which are in the differential.
Is the noise all the time? Is the noise speed dependent? Is the noise louder when on the gas?
My rig is making grinding noises from the rear, only with right turns. Does that sound like a bearing problem?
the rear bearings can be a bear to get out. I used a big slide hammer that I rented/borrowed from an auto parts store. Another idea, if you have the space, is to remove both left and right side axle, then put a long piece of pipe from the one side, through the axle housing and differential and use it to pound out the bearing on the other side from behind.
