69ttop502

I am swapping differentials in my 62 and am confused on what gaskets I need. I am not removing or replacing the bearings, and the bearings on the axle's have 2 O-rings on each bearing. I see listings in catalog for both bearing oil seals and also O-ring seals, depending on how many O-rings are on each bearing. What do I need if I am leaving the bearings alone? I know I need the big center section gasket and the two retainer plate gaskets. Thanks,

Bill

62Jeff

Bill I don't think you need anything, if you aren't taking the bearings out of the axle housing.

If you are taking the bearings out, then you might need new o-rings.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c1-a...m-parsons.html

69ttop502

Thanks Jeff, that's what I thought.

Bill

Pilot Dan

The bearings must come out (not off) with the axles on a 62 (they are pressed on) in order to remove the rear center section. Take a look at the O rings on the bearings and see what condition they are in . I have had my axles out several times over the years and never replaced the O rings and no leaks. The trick is to coat the O rings with a few drops of the rear end lube so they dont get hung up and tear when doing the R&R. Pilot Dan

62Jeff

Ack! You are right Dan.

Plasticman

I ordered new O-rings by the batch just for that reason.

McMaster-Carr #4679T15 (MIL Spec Buna N O-Ring, Durometer A70), pack of 10 for $6.96, but with shipping came to $11.46.

Plasticman

DZAUTO

MULTIPLE bearings for these rear axles were manufactured over the years. Some have different grooves/O-rings from each other. Thus, an O-ring for one bearing may be thicker/wider than it is for another bearing (for example BCA vs Delco). So if an O-ring needs to be replaced, there isn't a generic O-ring that fits all.
Also (and this is about as dumb as it gets), if the bearing seal needs to be replaced, it is necessary to REMOVE the pressed-on bearing from the axle!!! To remove the bearing from the axle, it is first necessary to destroy the lock ring which retains the bearing! AT ONE TIME IN THE PAST lock rings could be bought seperately------------NOT ANY MORE!!!! Seperate lock rings are no longer available. To get a new lock ring, it is necessary to buy the bearing (all bearings come with a new lock ring). Sooooooooooooooo, if removing the bearing to replace the seal, then you might as well replace the bearing. In addition to that, MOST PROBABLY, if the bearing seal is leaking, there is a HIGH PROBABILITY that the bearing is starting to go bad (this comes from 45+yrs experience of rebuilding early Vette and early Chevy rears of this type).

Tom Parsons