brakes and rear axle help

[m4]

Hello, I need to replace the rear axle seals on a 86 GW. Is this a big project? what rear end does this year have? I want to make sure i have the right info for parts ordering. Also going through the brakes, the parts place gave me five lug rear drums instead of six, shoes are probally wrong too.do the bearings ride on the axles and need to be pressed off? and replaced also? thank you for any help.

shawn in Amarillo, TX

[Chevelleguy]

You should have an AMC 20 rear axle. There are two seals per side, an inner and an outer. Yes the bearings are pressed on and you will need a slide hammer to get the axles out. Once you remove the four retaining plate bolts, pop the axle out w/ the slide hammer. Use a healthy screwdrive and hammer to remove the inner seal from the housing then replace w/ a new seal. Having a seal driver or large piece of pipe will make this easier. To remove the bearing you must first cut a grove in the bearing retaining ring. Use a cut off tool on a high speed grinder and be carefull not to cut too deep. You then use a chiesl in the groove you just made to brake the ring which will then slide off the axle. You must then use an air hammer or a press to remove the old bearing. Install new outer seal, bearing, lock ring and your done with the hard part. Knock axle back into housing with good size hammer and use the retaining plate to seat the new outer seal.
Good luck, David.

[m4]

Thanks David this should get me started tomorrow.

[ July 30, 2003, 09:06 PM: Message edited by: m4 ]

[joe]

The principals are the same but before you go ordering parts make sure what axle you have. 86 is a cusp year for the rear axle. Early 86's had the AMC20 rear axle. Late 86's have the D44 rear. Look at the diff covers. If the rear looks like the front it's the D44. If the cover is round and smooth it's the M20.

[m4]

Joe, the rear is round and doesn't look like the front so a M20?

Thank you for the help
Shawn in Amarillo, TX

[joe]

Yup Shawn, that's the M20(AMC20).

[m4]

Well after trying to find bearing and axle seals for my 86 GW , all the old part numbers show a J10 Jeep rear end installed, is this a problem? or just a replacement some time in it's life?

[joe]

If you had a J10 rear in your Wag the fenders would be seriously trimmed. It's about 6"+ wider than a Wag axle. They are pretty much the same axle though except for axle shaft length. Seals should(?) be the same. I'll dig in my PM and get you the AMC p/n's.

Ok...the stuff is the same for the 86 Wag and 86 J10.
seal, inner 323 5929
retainer 323 9074
bearing 323 0115
seal. outer 324 0086

Or get the kit that includes: brgs/retainers/seals p/n 813 0510

[ July 31, 2003, 04:04 PM: Message edited by: -joe ]

[m4]

Ok i have all the parts now, they look just like the old ones so i think im set,a friend who owns a transmission shop said me would help press off old bearings. so im cooking with gas.

thanks David and Joe for your help
Shawn in Amarillo, TX