Gents - long time member of FTE but my first forum post . I've searched the forums every which way but Sunday but just can't find the answer that I'm looking for.

As the title says, I have a 9 inch under my 79 F150 that had 28 spline axles. Did the upgrade to 31 splines, changed the carrier, the gears, bearings, put in a posi and went with the "set 20 timken" axle bearings. Everything has gone smoothly until trying to "re-install" the axles. When inserting the axles back into the tubes, I'm about a half inch short, meaning, that the axle will spline with the center section but I can't get the retainer plate to mate up to be able to bolt back together. So something is hanging it up.

I called BroncoGraveYard (they sold me the bearings) and the tech guy says that I need to pull the "bearing race" out of the tube since the "set 20" is both the bearing and race in one and then everything should button right back up. Is this true? Not necessarilly questioning the tech guy's ability but just a little nervous to do major damage in the tubes. Any help is appreciated.

 

yes, that is true. A set 20 in a completely contained bearing set

 

Wonderful! Thanks for getting back so quickly - I should be doing burn outs by Weds

 

Just one more question - the race on either side won't come out - have a race puller and a slide hammer and they ain't budging - I'm just chewing them up it seems - any tips on getting them out?

 

If they won't drive out, you can try heating up the outside with a torch. It will make the tube expand, loosening it up. Is there any way you can get to it from the other side with a hammer and a punch or drift?

 

Sawzall or hacksaw blade.

Josh

 

I did this just a few months ago. I used the race puller and it took a good 30 minutes to get the first one out. I repositioned that puller dozens of times. I used small prybar to get behind it and try to wiggle it side to side, which helped a little, but also buggered up the seating surface a little bit. The second one came out a little easier.

When you put the new ones it, the race will already be on the bearing. Clean up the seating surface, but a little grease on it, then use the slide hammer(with the shaft puller adapter) to tap the new assembly the final bit in.

 

You will have a very hard time cutting a race with any thing other than a cut off wheel which I really doubt will fit. Races are very very hard so they don't wear. I would try heat like Craig said.
-John

 

You can weld on the race till it comes loose. Usually 3 evenly spaced beads is all it takes.

 

What mark said, if you have a welder just put a couple of beads on it and it will shrink and come out EASY. If you don't have a welder I have busted them with a chisel, but beware they shatter and can burry small pieces of metal in you, at the very least use eye protection.

 

Cool. I hadn't thought of that one.

 

Thx for all of the suggestions - been travelling for work for the past three days - heated it up with a torch and nada - wouldn't budge - it almost looks like the race(s) are machined into the tubes as I am having a hard time finding a ridge or even a line that would indicate that they are seperate pieces from the tube - hope to post a pic tomorrow morning and maybe that will shed some light on the what I have here - thanks again for all of the help and pls stay tuned for an update as I surely will need your help!