Rear wheel bearing

[amcneill]

Hello everybody...im getting ready to do the rear wheel bearing on my 1986 toyota van (standard, 2wd if that makes a difference) and im seeing a few different looking parts being sold as a "rear wheel bearing"....im leaning towards this one http://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=494648&cc=1279751&jsn=410

Is this the right part? will i need anything else to do this other than possibly a slide hammer? Also, the method of heating the new bearing up in gear oil and pressing it in worries me...is it possible to just bring the axle shaft to a shop after it has been removed and have them do it or will they need the entire van in the shop?

Thanks for any help in advance, sorry if i sound so clueless but ive never even done drum breaks, let alone take apart a rear axle so im a little worried about my abilities... :p

[technocj]

A slide hammer is useful to remove the axles. I purchased the bearings from Rock Auto and had the local machine shop install them.

[lamont]

(Quoted from a Previa thread)


Be careful to install the retainer with the flanged end facing the correct direction.
.

Does the flanged(rounded) end go toward the oil seal and the flat side against the bearing? I think that is how it was when I took it off but should have payed closer attention.

[Rufus]

Does the flanged(rounded) end go toward the oil seal and the flat side against the bearing? I think that is how it was when I took it off but should have payed closer attention.

Yes, you are correct!

[lamont]

Yes, you are correct!

Got the retainer on tonight and was ready to put axle back in but.....the axle is flopping around! I think I may have the wrong bearing. The outside diameter of the bearing is appx. 2.820 inches which is much smaller than the opening it is supposed to fit into. Am I overlooking something? The van is a 1985 model and I ordered the bearings from rockauto. And I dont have the old bearing to compare the new one to...it has already been thrown away.

[lamont]

Got the retainer on tonight and was ready to put axle back in but.....the axle is flopping around! I think I may have the wrong bearing. The outside diameter of the bearing is appx. 2.820 inches which is much smaller than the opening it is supposed to fit into. Am I overlooking something? The van is a 1985 model and I ordered the bearings from rockauto. And I dont have the old bearing to compare the new one to...it has already been thrown away.

After some further research and checking bearing specs, It seems that the rear bearing for 1984-85 vans was a smaller diameter bearing than the ones used from 1986-1989. So the bearing I ordered was the correct bearing for a 1985 van but it is the wrong size. WHAT????? Well it seems my 1985 van has a 1986 or above rear end! I do not know if a previous owner changed it or if maybe the factory put some 86 rear ends in 85 vans. Anyway, time to remove the new bearing I just put on and wait for my new LARGER bearing to arrive! So if you plan to do this job, be sure to measure the O.D. (outside diameter) of your old bearing before ordering your new bearings.:)

[AntHamel]

Sorry to hijack an old thread, but I was wondering, are these rear bearings packed with grease, or are they lubricated with the gear oil from the rear diff?

[AnotherUser]

Can someone familiar with rear bearing replacement provide a quick overview of the process for replacing them on a '86 2WD?

I've read that you might need to get them machine pressed in? Is rear bearing replacement considered a difficult job on these vans?

Thanks

[MarkH]

You do need a hydraulic press to press in the new bearing and retainer. I also used one to press out the old bearing. The pdf attached shows the procedure according to the factory service manual:11240