another rear axle bearing question

[76 explorer]

i didnt want to hijack the other axle bearing thread so i started my own. yesterday as i was about 100 yards from the house (only driving about 25 - 30 mph)i THINK i killed my driver side axle bearing. ( i havent pulled the axle yet) but it was grinding a bit. what are the odds of me tearing something up other than the axle shaft? it has the stock 28 spline axles. what im getting at is how likely is it i tore up the actual axle housing itself? im sure ill see for sure when i tear into it but it will be at least tomorrow evening before i can do it and id like a little peice of mind that its not very likely i hurt the axle housing, but im looking for honest opinions so let me have it straight

 

[Mr Joe]

If the bearing spun on the shaft, you could try staking the shaft before you install the new bearing. I've done that before. If the bearing spun in the housing, you could try staking the housing.....I've never done that, but it should work.

 

[76 explorer]

staking?

 

[Mr Joe]

staking?

That's when you intentionally burr the surface with a punch to help "hold" the bearing race or cone. Do not stake the bearing surface. The housing or axle surface gets staked.... Clearer than mud??

 

[76 explorer]

roger dodger

 

[broncnaz]

I doubt you did any damage I totally trashed a bearing (see other post) to the point the whole axle shaft came out of the housing with very little left of the bearing it made a few gouges in the housing but the cleaned right up I wouldnt worry about the housing to much the bearing itself just sets in the housing and doesnt really move so even it the housing is a little dinked up it wont matter I would worry more about the axle shaft itself. but I dont think you hurt that either. when I lost mine it was questionable I had a large gouge in the shaft. so I replaced it just to be safe but I think it would have been fine.

 

[67ster]

Given the fact that the inner race is a press fit on the axle shaft , then it stands to reason the outer race will spin in the housing if the balls lock up . If some how the inner race spun destoying the fit on the axle there is a fix . Loctite makes a product called Press Fit and it will fill and bond up to .004 . Most bearing supply houses carry it or a similar product in another brand name . I have used it on heavy industrial shafts and it seems to work well. DO NOT use it on the OD of a wheel bearing as it will be almost impossible to remove .

 

[76 explorer]

if you dont put that stuff on the outside of the bearring where do you put it? the way i see it is if you put it on the inside of the axle tube then its going to touch the bearing. im hoping i wont need anything like that but im just curious