I have replaced my axle bearings with what I think are called GM style bearings featuring an "O" ring around the outer diameter. The bearings are also sealed. Does this eliminate the need for the traditional axle seal?
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My wife wants me to see things from a woman's point of view, so now I spend a lot of time looking out the kitchen window
Yep it does Mike. BUT... I still use a traditional seal ....just to be sure.
I'll second that. They're called "green" bearings and are a popular swap in the Mopar 8 3/4 rear ends which are almost identical to the 9" Ford. I also use the oils seal.
FYI; The reason they're called "Green" bearings, is because they used to be made by a company named Green. The last set I bought were from Moser axles in their packaging, and when I got them I was ticked that they were now made in China. Time will tell how long this set lasts.
They cost enough - I hope that indicates they aren't Chinese. Talk'n 'bout bearings. Just pulled the front end apart on my kid's F350. You'd think a $60,000 truck would last for a long time but this thing's a mess. If the bearing in the front hub goes you need to buy the whole hub for $700.00 each. Then the locking hubs seize up every few months and sometimes you can free them up - most times you can't. The rear disc brakes use the rotor as a parking brake drum like a lot of vehicles but everything mounts to a very thin gauge backing plate that rusts out so badly (and in just a few years) that the little pins that hold the shoes in place pull through the rusted out backing plate allowing the shoes to tip out and rub on the inside face of the rotor. Ford's cost for new backing plates? - $400.00 each! They're like tinfoil pie plates! Luckily someone repops them for $150.00! They're crap. Then idiots in the Ontario government decide they want a safety and a an e test every year for another money grab. This truck gets used to go to work and occasionally tow a travel trailer on vacations! I think I'd sell the crappy truck and trailer and rent motel rooms. Rumour has it the MOT wants all trucks to have the yearly e tests and safeties soon. Why do we put up with this crap? Sorry for the rant
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My wife wants me to see things from a woman's point of view, so now I spend a lot of time looking out the kitchen window
