Early (tapered axles) 8.75 wheel bearing replacement questions

[xander18]

Hello everyone,

I'm trying to do wheel bearings on my early 8.75 rear end and there's not a lot of info on these as compared to the later 8.75s. Couple of questions:

Are there green bearings available for the early 8.75s? Doctordiff.com doesn't let me select '64 on their green kit for the 8.75.

I understand the wheel bearing preload/endplay is set with shims. Do I need to reshim it if I do new bearings?

Do the drum brake backing plates go inside or outside of the axle retention plates? On the car currently the drum brake backing plates are further outside. But some pictures I've seen online make me think that's not correct and this would effect the axle end play.

 

[xander18]

Looks like this picture answers my question about the brake plate position:

http://www.crankshaftcoalition.com/wiki/images/thumb/1/18/IMG_3552a_1.jpg/500px-IMG_3552a_1.jpg

 

[xander18]

Okay, brake backing plates are off... is the axle supposed to slide out? Maybe a little slide hammer help?

 

[jstaples2]

On my 68 they just slid right out. I didn't need a slide hammer or any other tools. I literally just pulled them out. I don't know much about the earlier rear ends, so I don't know if my experiences help. I thought some rear ends have a locking pin in the differential (not sure if that's in your 8 3/4 though). The 8 3/4 on my plymouth did not have any locking pin or anything.

I went with the green bearings from Dr. Diff as well and they seem to work fine.

 

[sixtyf]

Some photo's from an early '60's service manual...

 

[xander18]

Sixtyf, thanks a ton for those. I actually found a PDF here as well:

MyMopar - Mopar Forums & Information - Service Manuals

Guess it's time to grab a slide hammer.

 

[xander18]

Another good link for future internet Mopar archaeologists who stumble upon this thread:

TECH....Mopar rear axle seal replacment, Part 1

and part 2:

TECH...Part 2, Mopar axle seal replacment

 

[traintech55]

Since you are this far I would investigate to see if I could change to the 65 and up axles.

 

[BIGBARNEYCARS]

I agree. In fact I'd call Murray Park in Tiffin, Oh. and ask him what would drop rite in hub to hub. His answer might surprise you