Rear axle bearing for base model 2wd

[Glenn Bint]

So I’ve got to do a bearing on my 87 base model sport. 2wd. Just wondering if there are any tricks I need to know before hand. My ch appreciated. 

[Gojira94]

Just did this recently on my Dana 35. Pull the drums off. On the axle flanges there is a hole that allows you to get to the 4 nuts/ bolts that hold the retainer plates for the bearing and seal behind them. The bolts come through from the rear of the axle tubes and are indexed with a flat spot to clear the tubes. No need to remove the brake backing plates/ brakes but they'll now be loose, held in place mostly by the lines going to the wheel cylinders. The axle shafts slide right out, as there's no c-clips on the Dana 35 until 1990 model year. Dana 44 will be exactly the same if you have that axle.

 

The non c-clip axles have the retainer plate, seal, bearing and safety collar pressed into place, so you'll need to get the kit for each side. If you don't have a pretty beefy press, you'll need to take your axle shafts to a machine shop to have it done.

[Glenn Bint]

Many thanks. Looks like an easy driveway fix👍