Technical 50's chevy 10 bolt rear end question

I have a early pre 57, I think, posi rear end (no drain plug).. No cover plate on rear. To replace the wheel bearing do you take off pinion nut remove front housing and remove "C" clip and pull axle or is the bearing cover behind the axle flange also a axle retainer...tried search and internet

 

There are no 'c' clips on that rear. Axles are held onto the ends at the brakes, at the bearings.

 

you have to pull the axles before you can pull out the center section, on that style of rearend.

 

Ok....I have the what I calling the cover over the wheel bearing unbolted do I just slide hammer the axles out or is there something else

 

a slide hammer will work, sometimes they will come out without one

 

Use a slide hammer, if that doesn't work, get a bigger slide hammer

 

this one needs a slide hammer.....I still don't see what is suppose to hold the axle in. Is the wheel bearing cap what holds the axle in.....and how much fun is getting the bearing/seal out any tricks

 

the four bolts holding the backing plate on hold the bearing retainer

 

the "cover over the wheel bearing" is the bearing retainer.

 

If that bearing hasn't been out for 70 years, it might take some pounding. Next year, when you twist an axle, it might just slide right out.

 

I see how the bearing retainer keeps the bearing from coming out but what keeps the axle from coming out....

 

the bearing and a retaining ring are pressed onto the axle

 

The bearing is pressed onto the axle, and there's a "lock ring" which is also pressed on after the bearing. The lock ring is a really tight press fit.

That's all that holds the axles in millions of cars....

 

one last question is the seal not shown under the the bearing retainer...so in order bearing retainer, seal, bearing, then retainer ring

 

a gasket may go between the bearing retainer and backing plate, if a seal is used it goes in the rear end housing, not under the bearing retainer

 

seal is built into the wheel bearing.

 

thanks guys saved allot of head scratching

 

you're welcome! also be careful to get the correct bearing, there are a few different ones depending on what year it is

 

It sounds like you have a 55-56 "housing", the third member could be anything from 55-64 full size, to 62-64 Chevy II/Nova, or even 56-62 Vette, as they all swap in (some are stronger than others for various reasons). Positraction became available in 57. The axle bearings for a 55-56 housing are smaller in diameter and narrower than 57 axle bearings, and even more different than 58-64. So, you have to be sure to get the correct axle bearings, especially since they are pressed on, along with the keeper ring, and the keeper ring is destroyed removing one. 55-56 axle bearings may cost you more also, they're getting harder to find. There are also smaller bearings used in the 55-56 third members, and the case is slightly thinner cast iron. Stay away from the 62-64 Chevy II/Nova third members. Then there are early and late versions of the Positraction, later being stronger. IF you in fact have a Positraction in a 55-56 housing, then the axles were/should be shortened 1/8 inch each. I am Butch/56sedandelivery.

 

thanks guys saved allot of head scratching