77 CJ7 wheel bearing replacement

[DJMuffinMan]

I bought a 77 CJ7 a month ago and I have it pretty cleaned up and runs GREAT, a few days ago tho, the rear wheels locked up and it sure sounded llike bearings grinding. I was able to get it home but it was making a distinct bearing noise. I am thinking they may have been in water and not cleaned and repacked or just need replacing, although the axles are looking like new, so the bearings probably are to. the breaks look fine and I pulled the wheels, took off the axle nut and I can't find a good breakdown of pulling these axles and checking/repacking the inner and outer brearings... any help would be greatly appreciated, I am pretty mechanically able, but new to jeepin' ... help please 8):???:

 

[Crazy4diesels]

I bought a 77 CJ7 a month ago and I have it pretty cleaned up and runs GREAT, a few days ago tho, the rear wheels locked up and it sure sounded llike bearings grinding. I was able to get it home but it was making a distinct bearing noise. I am thinking they may have been in water and not cleaned and repacked or just need replacing, although the axles are looking like new, so the bearings probably are to. the breaks look fine and I pulled the wheels, took off the axle nut and I can't find a good breakdown of pulling these axles and checking/repacking the inner and outer brearings... any help would be greatly appreciated, I am pretty mechanically able, but new to jeepin' ... help please 8):???:

I haven't done one of these in a long while... Hopefully some of this info will help you, at least to get it apart. After getting the axle center nut off you need to use a puller to remove the hub from the axle shaft. Then, disconnect your brake line from the wheel cylinder. Then, you can remove the brake backing plate plate bolts (right around the axle shaft) and remove the dust seal plate. Next remove the brake backing plate assy. I can't remember but there may be shims under the backing plate, save these. Next you should be able to pull the axle shaft and bearing out of the housing. Some of these I've done by hand, others required a slide hammer. You might get lucky and just get it out by hand. Next you can pull out the grease seal with a seal puller. You need to bring the shaft to a shop and get the old bearing pressed off and then a new one pressed on. There's only one bearing on each shaft. Install a new grease seal square in the housing - be sure it's seated in correctly. IMPORTANT - LUBE up the lip of the seal with grease. Pack your new bearing with grease and reinstall the shaft - being really careful NOT to slide it along your new seal. If there were shims in there put them back and check your end play. I don't remember the spec but I bet you want a couple thousandths endplay. If there were no shims and you dont' have any endplay you'll need to find or make shims to set it. I wish I could remember more about the end play but I guess the old brain has hit a few too many potholes :lol: . This spec you'll have to look up or maybe someone else here remembers. Best of luck -John