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Mon Jul 21, 2003 5:42 pm

I finally got the rear bearings off my 66 bug. When I took the bearing caps off, a little oil dripped out. When I put the new bearings on, do I grease them, put in oil, or what? If I oil them, how do I get the oil in.

Mon Jul 21, 2003 5:56 pm

on swing axle trans the rear outer bearings are "wet" and they get their lube from the same gear oil that is in the tranny.., no grease needed, just pray you get the axle seals/spacers in correctly or you will have leaks to deal with.

Tue Jul 22, 2003 7:15 am

Thanks keifer. I am just getting into actually doing this type of maintenance. Never had the rear torn apart. I am doing my first frame off. Going pretty well so far, but man were those rear bearings hell. Finally wound up grinding 4 notches in them to put a chisel in. Not the preferred method I am sure, but it was the only way after many different attempts.

Tue Jul 22, 2003 8:11 am

Yes, swing axle rear bearings can be well, lets say arduous at best.
it is very important to get the spacer rings and the rubber O rings, etc in the right order ( bevel side(s) one is convex and one concave) and the seal /oil slinger washer put into the " cap" without dinging up the seal ( a 36mm socket works well to drift the seal in)

you can use a little fresh clean wheel bearing grease when installing the new bearings (and put a smidge on them for initial lubrication till the tranny oil gets distributed and pieces but do not need to "pack" the bearing)

if your backing plates and "bearing seal cap" have the hole in them, make sure to clean it out and not let it fill with sealant when installing. It is there so that if the seal fails the tranny oil leaks out the backing plate and not on the brake shoes and lets you know you have a failure.

good luck, and buy at least one extra seal kit to have on hand! get the rear axle nuts tight tight tight, when your done :)

Tue Jul 22, 2003 4:10 pm

Thanks again. I appreciate the help.