I have a '63 LB Fleetside and am replacing the wheel bearings. I have the manual that I got from our hosts but I can't find any mention of wheel bearing replacement in it and there is no index. I will keep looking but can anyone give me a quick doublecheck on replacing rear wheel bearings? Thanks, JL
OK, I found it. Never mind I searched the forum before adding this thread and did not find anything about servicing the rear wheel bearings. I don't know if this is so easy that noone has asked but I didn't find it inherently obvious that the differential must be opened to get to the rear wheel bearings. So anyone looking in the future the two axle shafts must be released by dropping the pinion pin from the differential and removing c-clamps from the inboard end of each shaft. Does anyone know how to remove the bearings if you don't have a slide hammer? Sorry for answering my own question and thanks in advance for any advice.
For removing axles without a slide hammer, I've had success using a length of chain bolted to a lug stud and the other end wrapped and bolted to a sledge hammer. It's no where near as convenient, but can generate a lot of impact force to pull the axle. Of course you have to careful not to get clobbered by the axle when it comes flying out. If the bearings are retained in the axle housing after the axle is removed, a slide hammer is probably going to be needed unless you have some type of puller that will work. If you don't own a slide hammer, many of the auto parts stores rent tools like this for free or low cost, with just a deposit until the tool is returned.
