hey all. i am about to replace a bent axle on my 85gsl-se. what all do i need to do this? i cant find any bearings anywhere except mazdaxrix so do i just need the axle bearings and a new seal? or is there more that will be involved.

also does the axle just slide out after i get the brakes and stuff off? i got a slide hammer to knock it out but is that all i need?? most diffs i have worked on require the entire thing torn down(chevys). thanks guys!!

 

i'ma try to help out the best i can,
i would get a whole axle bearing kit, should come with a gasket, axle bearing, collar bearing, and seal. Most likely you wont use the gasket.
You'll pull your caliper off completely, then brake rotor, and then there should be three bolts holding that little shield on behind the brake rotor? pull those loose. Put your brake rotor back on and put on a spare wheel on and put on at least two lug nuts so you can hammer the axle out. once its out you'll have to have to have the bearing pressed off with a press, and then press the new one back on. (thats whats a pain, finding someone with a press!) then reinstall. You'll have to bleed brakes on that one side of course when you're done.

i did this two months ago, axles werent bent but i needed new axle bearings on both sides and this is how i did it. i hope there is no confusing and mistakes in how i told you you to do this. I have an 85 with a 83 GSL rear end, they shouldnt be much different..

hope this helps, and good luck!

 

Black Dragon has the bearings and collars too.

 

sweet guys thanks!! i got it all apart yesterday and went easy! not as dificult as i made it out to be. im ordering the parts today with any luck and soon she wil be on the road again!!

 

Advance Auto Parts also sells the axle bearing and collar.

Unless you have a big hydraulic press and know how to use it, replacing the bearing on the axle shaft probably exceeds your skill set. I would recommend taking it to an automotive machine shop for bearing replacement.

 

Is there a HUGE difference between older bearings and replacing them with new? I know old bearings will tend to cause more drag, but I am not sure if it would be worth tearin out the axles for.

 

i NEED to replace mine... noisy!

 

Need to do this too to mine just been lagging on getting this done,

 

well i am a auto tech and work in a well equiped shop so i think i will be fine. i have just never torn into a rear end that is this old and not held in by at least a snap ring. i still dont fully understand how the only thing holding the axle in is that bearing. seems like it would easily blow out given enough force applied to it (curb, pothole, ect.)

 

The three bolts you removed to get the dust shield loose from the axle housing is what holds it in