Technical 40 Ford brake drums

On the 40 Ford rear brake drums there is a place to put two snap rings , I know one is for holding the axle bearing in place , but what is the upper snap ring groove for , If I'm correct you put the axle bearing in , the lower of the 2 snap ring groove will hold the bearing in place . then the bearing seal in pressed in flush with the bearing housing , I don't know why there is that upper snap ring groove ?
Vern

 

I think the snap ring goes on the outside of the seal only, holding it all together. If I remember correctly there isn’t a second snap ring inside.

 

Thank You

 

Bearing slides in first.
Grease seal goes in next.
Then the snap ring goes in and holds it all together.
There is only ONE snap ring.
I will cut a new (reverse) angle on the snap ring so its easy to remove next time.
Be sure to use the correct long strand fiber grease in and on the bearing.
Use StaLube 3131 grease.
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=263583&highlight=wheel+bearing+grease
and
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=281775&highlight=wheel+bearing+grease
As a side note:
Do not use the rear grease fitting on the backing plate where the backing plate joins the axle housing because grease will go all over your brakes.

 

One snap ring. Don't forget to use the fiber washer that goes between the axle nut/washer and the hub.
Grease will leak out at the axle end without it.

 

this is what I was referring to

 

great pictures , pictures always makes life easier , Thanks
Vern

 

I've used the zerk on the rear axle boss many times and have never squirted into the brakes. It goes into the axle bearing cavity. Any excess flows through the bearing, and into the housing tube to comingle with the rearend lube.

 

Glenn makes a great point. If you don't have a fiber washer
you can make one out of a piece of leather from an old belt.

 

Here's another comment on rear wheel zerk grease fitting and why to NOT use it.
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=39751&highlight=rear+wheel+bearing+greasing

 

Yup, that talks about over greasing. I give it two shots every spring when I'm giving every other zerk on the car two shots each. Pretty sure Henry wouldn't have put them there if he didn't really want them used. And as I said, I've had the drums off enough to know that I'm not getting any grease past the seal and into the brakes.