2 ford 9" axle bearing questions

i have a small bearing 9" out of a late 60's mustang. one of the bearings was somewhat "stuck" when i pulled the axle out of the housing for the first time..but now it spins quite freely, i once read that if the bearing spins that it's still good. these bearings apparently are quite strong...should i replace it, even though it was "stuck", and something could be wrong with it?

my second question is there is a ring/plate that fits over the axle and sits quite close to the bearing...is this ring supposed to be against the bearing or not? currently mine is about an 1/8 - 1/4 away from the bearing.

thx guys

len

 

i always put in new axle bearings in a used rear end....if they feel good or not. cheap insurance and beats sitting on the side the road , or ditch . if you have any doubts about it , replace it

are you talking about a plate between the axle flange and bearing? if so , that is the reatainer and should be holding the bearing into the axle end...or do you have pictures?

 

Could also be bearing retainer ring-on older 9"s,there is a solid ring that was pressed on after bearing to kepp bearing from walking down axle-positioned between bearing/axle slpines so to speak?

 

yeah the ring looks like its pressed on. like i said it's about 1/8-1/4 " away from the bearing itself, i guess i will take it in and get it looked at..

thx again

 

Spend the $30 and get new bearings with a retainer ring. There should be a "stop" that will not allow the ring to be pressed further. It should be flush to the bearing or else there will be side to side movement. That ring is the only thing keeping your axle in place. If it slips then the whole axle can walk out. Speaking from personal experience........ That ****s.

 

I second the recommendation to get new bearings, and have them pressed on the axles....