9" Ford rear end bearing issue

[34ford]

Cleaning up the coupe for the summer and noticed some grease/dust on the calipers on the back. Took it apart and noticed that there was grease oozing out of the bearing seal. The car only has 6000 miles on these bearings. My question is what should I do about this. The bearings are sealed bearings in a 9" ford rear end with wilwood disc brakes. Should I replace the bearings, try to push the seal back in somehow? I know that there has been some discussion about bad bearings on the forum and don't want to be far from home and have a bearing go out due to lack of grease. The bearings on there came with the currie rear end and are set tight in the housing. The caliper bracket for the brakes has a recess that allows for the bearing to be out past the axle housing. Thanks for the input gents.

[kb426]

If you pull on the axle, does it have end play in the bearing? If it does, I'd replace it. I fought a bearing on the 32 for way too long. I kept thinking it was the o-ring on the od. Turned out to be the id had gone to the great bearing wasteland and the grease was coming down the shaft. There seems to be a sentiment about 20% bearing failures. That was my exp. on the 32. The 51 has about 7,000 miles on it without a failure.

[chimp koose]

The axle housing vent is not plugged is it ? that might cause seals to get pushed out as well .

[34ford]

If you pull on the axle, does it have end play in the bearing? If it does, I'd replace it. I fought a bearing on the 32 for way too long. I kept thinking it was the o-ring on the od. Turned out to be the id had gone to the great bearing wasteland and the grease was coming down the shaft. There seems to be a sentiment about 20% bearing failures. That was my exp. on the 32. The 51 has about 7,000 miles on it without a failure.

No play in the axle that I can tell. Both sides have the same thing going on.

[enjenjo]

Is the axle housing even vented? Currie may not install a vent leaving it up to you.

[34ford]

Yes there is a vent installed. I will check it to make sure it is not plugged.

[Arnold]

fwiw..7 years ago I was just about to stuff some new synthetic gear lube into the front dif on my truck..called for synthetic in the rear(factory) and regular in the front. Odd I thought and was about to stuff it in anyway..for whatever reason I stumbled across a tsb where the synthetic was attacking a plastic collar used in the front and causing them to leak..

[Arnold]

fwiw..7 years ago I was just about to stuff some new synthetic gear lube into the front dif on my truck..called for synthetic in the rear(factory) and regular in the front. Odd I thought and was about to stuff it in anyway..for whatever reason I stumbled across a tsb where the synthetic was attacking a plastic collar used in the front and causing them to leak..

  Add..a few hundred lifetimes ago ..Dana 44's had axle shaft seals that were right next to the carrier..if the lube got by them it would run down the axle shaft..you would swear it was grease coming out of the torrington bearing area

[34ford]

Did check the vent and it's clear.

Arnold. I thought maybe it was the rear lube leaking too but not the case. If you zoom in on the picture closer you can see the grease coming out around where the black seal meets the outer part of the bearing.
Just think it's weird both sides are doing it about the same amount.

[UGLY OLDS]

We had that same problem with the 9" in the Kidds Dodge ....Rear axle housing was bent almost 1/4"...We never knew it .... :oops:  

Bob..

[34ford]

We had that same problem with the 9" in the Kidds Dodge ....Rear axle housing was bent almost 1/4"...We never knew it .... :oops:  

Bob..

It was a new one from Currie so I assume it's straight.

[34ford]

Going to replace the bearings on the coupe. What is the best brand out there now. I tried searching the RRT threads for some information and found the NAPA ones recommended. Any thoughts. Thanks for those of you who have responded.

[kb426]

I would be tempted to cal Strange eng. or Mark Williams and see what they use and why. Maybe someone that does driveline for their business might have more knowledge on failures. I keep seeing what appears to be the same parts with different labels and prices. I'm as stymied as can be about this subject.

[34ford]

I would be tempted to cal Strange eng. or Mark Williams and see what they use and why. Maybe someone that does driveline for their business might have more knowledge on failures. I keep seeing what appears to be the same parts with different labels and prices. I'm as stymied as can be about this subject.

That's a great ideal Thanks. Do appreciate your builds. Just makes me tired.  

[wayne petty]

the ball bearing seals are NOT designed to stop the axle lube from leaking thru.

there should be seals pressed into the housing that ride directly on the axle shaft for that..

those look like 31 spline axles.   when you slide the axle in or out its a  balancing act to stop from damaging the lip on the seal

if those are 35 spline axles.  or other than 28 or 31..  you will need to measure the shaft where the seal should ride and the bore.

check also for damage to the bore where the seal fits when previous installers had scratched it..


the 31 spline axles use in some years.. a 9363S seal  for a 1.500" axle shaft surface. 2.260 housing bore  and a 0.405" overall thickness..

the 28 spline axles up thru 68 use a 9569S for a 1.365" axle shaft surface.. a 2.260 housing bore and a .313 thickness.

the later with Ball bearings used a 51098 seal

and the heavy duty roller bearing axles use a 3195 seal.  

i don't have the sizes handy for those.  hope this helps.. nothing worse than a leaker.