Rear axle bearing oil bath woes

[Godwin]

Whatever you do, don't assemble it dry.

At a VERY minimum, dip the bearings in gear oil. Then before hitting the road, set the truck sideways on a hill and let the gear oil from the differential run down to the spindle and fill it. Then turn it around and do it for the opposite side, then back to level and refill the rear differential.

GM runs their 3/4T (1975-1987) rear full float axles in gear oil. If you assemble dry and drive it, you can make it approximately 3/4 mile at 60 MPH before they lock up.

You can also grease the bearings (pack them) with a gear-oil compatible grease and the grease will dissolve over time as the gear oil floods the cavity.

^This. I'm running two 80 series rear axle bearings in gear oil. For both I initially filled the axle housing until full, then parked on a slope and allowed gear oil to run into the hub. Reoriented the 80 to do the same for the opposite side. Then parked on level ground and topped off the rear axle housing.

 

[White Stripe]

I wouldn't run land cruiser bearings in gear oil. It seems strange to me so many people are doing it. My 4runner had oil bath rear wheel bearings. Id rather they had been grease. Are cruiser shops doing this or is it just individuals here n there?

 

[AgentOrange]

I don't know of shops doing it, but it's very common here. I do. My other Cruisers and 4Runners all had oil lubing the bearings and I almost never had to replace them. The 80 doesn't have some super special bearing compared to other vehicles. It's simpler for me when I have to tear into it also now

 

[White Stripe]

I don't know of shops doing it, but it's very common here. I do. My other Cruisers and 4Runners all had oil lubing the bearings and I almost never had to replace them. The 80 doesn't have some super special bearing compared to other vehicles. It's simpler for me when I have to tear into it also now

Oh ok. I prefer grease for the 80 wheel seal design.