i'm getting ready to replace the rear bearings in my 85 S and am wanting to gather as much info as possible. i found rich's thread https://www.rx7club.com/1st-gen-archive-71/drivetrain-replacing-rear-wheel-bearings-557114/

and that was really helpful. i'm wondering how difficult it is to remove the axle shafts and what special tool are needed to do so. i'm thinking that a slide hammer would work. also, rich stated that he had a shop press the bearings and collars on. i'm thinking that thats the best way to go. i read in another thread that people are pounding the new ones on with a pipe and a hammer. any advice would be appreciated before i start the teardown!!

 

Slide hammer does pretty well.

I would never hammer a bearing on. You are bound to muck it up. Take them to a shop and have them pressed on.

-billy

 

I've done a few, and the shop I did them at (I used to work there) didn't have the proper press setup to remove the old bearings, so I carefully cut them off with a cutoff wheel, then used the press to put the new ones on. As far as removing the axles from the housing a slide hammer works great, I've also used a regular hammer from the back to get them out, and that works fine too.
As for pounding them on with a pipe I wouldn't do that... too much risk of damaging the bearings or getting them on crooked.
Don't worry, its not a very difficult job, just take your time!

 

I did mine several years ago and it wasn't hard. I took the axles to Napa after I pulled them and they pulled the old bearings/collars off and pressed on the new ones while I waited. Didn't cost much, either.

 

i changed mine a while back at my old place of employment in their maintenance shop. they didnt have the right press eithe to remove the bearings so i too used a cut off anf took teh bearing off as it shows in that thread. you need to be careful not to cut up the axle when doing this.

removing the axles is easy. just undo the calipers and remove the rotors. you dont need any special tools to the take axles out. take a wheel and put it back on the axle with the face in(backwards). put a couple lug nuts(or bolts depending on application) back on. dont tighten them down too tight. then just give the wheel a good tug and theyll come right out. ive done this numerous times.

DONT beat the bearings on. thats rediculous and just asking to mess something up. you dont want to cut corners and then have to redo it all again as soon as you get it back together.

 

Glad I'm not the only one cutting those things off, but like you said be VERY careful not to ruin the axle. You don't even need to cut all the way trough the inner race of the bearing, just enough to weaken it then you can tap if off with a chisel.

 

thanks for all of the help. i dont think this will be bad to do at all!

 

yep, thats exactly what i did. another route would be to modify the backing plate so that it can be slid on and off. this would require cutting a chunk out of it but shouldnt hurt anything. i dont have any backing plates on my moser axles and i used the press to remove the bearings off of it for some work.

 

Yea I wasn't planning on running backing plates on my mosiers either, just the laser cut retaining plate that Billy sells. The FB backing plate would be way to small for the bigger FC rotors anyway..

 

the only hard part is putting your drums back together, and the hardest part of that is setting your brakes right, if you got discs then you got it easiest!

take to shop, instruct the machinist to use the proper removal method (cut off or proper press off).

when you get your bearing kit, make sure you get xtra collar rings (the small thin one on the wheel side of the bearing) re-using the stop collar is a BAD IDEA.

When they press the bearings on ask them if they will loc-tite them into place, it is worth the xtra effort (even on the big shaft axles).

Most important that your machinist is not a college fresh n00b, pay the xtra bit for the experienced machinist who loves his job. (talk to the guy who is going to do the work and make sure they are comfortable with the task), a lot of half hass hung over lazy workers around who really dont care.

 

i'll be starting the job tomorrow. we'll see how it goes. i'll let you guys know.

 

Slide Hammer may not be necessary. My half shafts both tapped out with a gentle hammering and a block of wood from behind.

 

I have to do my rear bearings here too, I want to get them done before Apple Blossom. I think I'm going to do my brakes as well while I'm down there. I've never done bearings before, any advice? I just pop the wheels off, remove the rotors, and take off the rear axle? Then I should take it to Napa or some similar place and they can get the old ones, off? will they also put my new ones on for me?

 

It's basically that simple, ask the place you are bringing them first if they have the equipment to properly remove the old bearings, pressing the new ones on is easy, but getting the old ones off might not be as straightforward.
Other than that yes, just take it all apart and slide them out, assembly is the reverse of disassembly and off you go.

 

Check out the thread referenced in the original post:

https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.php?t=557114

They're quite easy to take off yourself, but should have someone press them on for you.

Rich

 

i have a shop lined up to press the old bearings and lock collar off and press the new parts on. i'm starting the job here shortly today. my next question is:
when i'm re-installing the axles, do i gently tap the axles back into the axle carrier or do they need some force to be driven in? i just want to make sure i have all of my bases covered before i go and break someting.

 

You should be able to just push them in, then they will be completely seated when you tighten down the backing plate.

Rich

 

Yes, but if they don't push in then tap gently with a block of wood and a hammer on the end of the half shaft. Unlike pulling, you can get a clear hit when replacing. Tap away until the bearing's home fully in the axle tube. (you can see when).

 

I had to replace an axle in the GSL rearend when I bought it. I found that many bearing clamps are very difficult to use for removing the bearing on a drum brake axle.
After getting the bearing back on the axle, with the disc brake retainer, I opted to add a couple tack welds to insure the bearing retainer ring doesn't dislodge. Since I frequently have the car sliding sideways (autox), I don't want an axle slipping out of place.
Getting the axle(s) into the housing usually requires a few gentle taps with a hammer and block of wood. The bearing fits pretty snugly in the housing, which is why a slide hammer or similar item is often needed to remove the axles. I'd recommend seating the axles with a few taps, rather than trying to use the retainer to seat the bearing. This can disform the retainer, and make it less effective.

 

new bearings are on!! i have the axles back form the shop!!! now i'm waiting on new wheel cylinders to finish the job. i also ordered a complete set of braided stainless brake lines from racing beat today as well. might as well replace the lines while its apart. i'm going to have to bleed the system anyways.

 

Sounds great mazdaverx713b! One thing I neglected to do that bit me in the butt is replace the seals...make sure you do that too!

Rich

 

Rich, i have teh seals right in front of me. literally. they're going in tomorrow as are te eaxles. one thing that concerns me is that one lock ring is marginally longer than the other. i really dont think this will pose a problem but one can never tell. the machine shop did a nice job with the bearings. total cost to do the press job was $63.75. well worth its weight in gold to me as far as time is concerned.

 

ok, new seals are in, bearings and lock rings are on the shafts and the shafts are in!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i'm awaiting new wheel cylinders and braided stainless brake lines to finish the job. also got the old stock exhaust off and the racing beat one ready to put on. i'm justa awaiting new gaskets. the muffler is on and the header is sitting on the engine with no nuts on the studs. this car is coming together nicely!!!